Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)
The PHA’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) assists low-income families to become financially stable by bundling three key service areas under one roof at the PHA’s Resident Services Department (50 Laurel Hill Avenue):
ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL COACHING
Based on the completion of a Combined Financial Assessment, our Financial Coach works with FOC participants to develop an action plan to guide them in resolving financial issues (i.e. establishing or repairing/improving credit scores; reducing credit card debt, etc.) and building assets (saving money or purchasing a home). The Coach also educates clients around budgeting, debt consolidation, bankruptcy and basic banking practices.
INCOME SUPPORTS COUNSELING
An Income Supports Specialist screens FOC participants for public benefits eligibility and helps them look for other income supports that might reduce their monthly expenses.
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS
The Employment Workforce Education Specialist provides one-on-one career counseling as well as job search and job placement assistance to FOC participants. An Employment Skills Training offered several times a year prepares clients with valuable work readiness skills including resume and cover letter preparation, interviewing techniques, work place etiquette and strategies for job retention. Once a year, the FOC hosts a Community Job Fair to bring together job seekers, training partners, and employers.
Josselyn Velasquez-Florian,
Workforce Education & Employment Specialist
ext. 6412
Financial Coach/Homeownership Coordinator ext. 6413
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS
As a certified HUD Housing Counseling Agency, the PHA offers homeownership counseling services at the FOC.
The PHA also manages the Section 8 Homeownership Program which allows qualifying Section 8 residents to use their voucher as a form of mortgage payment assistance.
For more information contact Monah Rhodes at (401) 709-6413.