Economic Security

Helping low-income families achieve economic security

In the past decade, an increasingly complex financial landscape has often led to consumer confusion and poor financial decision making. At the same time, reduced regulatory safeguards have allowed increased predatory lending practices, particularly within communities of color and among low-income households. The ensuing housing crisis has affected the economic security of individuals, families and entire communities. To build a buffer against economic adversity and increase prosperity, people need financial education as well as opportunities to save, invest and preserve financial assets.

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Research Paper: Asset Building and Financial Education

 

Combining Financial Education
and Asset Building		 Anti-Payday Lending Policy Advocacy Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
RFP Release: July 1, 2013
Proposals Due: 
Grantees Notified: 		RFP Release: November 29, 2013
Proposals Due: 
Grantees Notified:

RFP Release: April 8, 2013
Information Session: April 10, 2013
Proposals Due:  May 3, 2013
Grantees Notified: June 2013
Targets increasing the availability of sound financial education and savings programs to help low and moderate income people build financial assets for long-term economic well-being. Targets the promotion of policy advocacy and educational activities to curb predatory payday lending. Targets increasing the capacity for housing counseling and legal services agencies to serve homeowners and tenants at risk from foreclosure.
Grants support programs that:
  • Expand effective existing programs that demonstrate a combined financial education and asset-building approach and can be scaled to impact larger numbers of individuals.
  • Introduce pilot interventions that show the potential for breaking new ground in the financial education and asset development area.
  • Demonstrate innovation in the way programs are conceived, structured or delivered in order to increase efficiency and scale.
 Grants support programs that:
  • Raise the awareness of key stakeholders and the public about the negative effects of payday lending on household financial health and mobilize public support around the issue.
  • Advocate changes in municipal laws to inhibit new payday lending establishments in local jurisdictions.
  • Collaborate or coordinate efforts to leverage technical expertise, communication efforts and advocacy know-how to achieve policy impact.
 Grants support programs that:
  • Build the capacity of foreclosure mitigation counseling and legal services agencies to respond to the high demand for their services.
  • Offer technically sound and culturally appropriate services.
  • Ensure that services are continually informed by changes in the legislative and regulatory landscape and best practices in the field.
  • Assist homeowners or tenants to find "second best" solutions to their housing problem if foreclosure or eviction cannot be avoided.