On July 21, 2022, Foundation Communities a broad coalition of advocates, affordable housing providers and elected leaders gathered at The Jordan at Mueller to call for a bold investment in housing affordability in Austin. The coalition is urging Council to place an affordable housing bond of at least $300 million on the November 2022 ballot […]
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Family Finds Financial Footing with Affordable Housing, Support
Iyanna Burns prides herself in being independent and self-sufficient. But in 2019, she had to swallow that pride a bit. Pregnant with her third child, Iyanna made the decision to remove herself from an unhealthy living situation and return to the north Austin area. It’s where she had grown up, and where she could find […]
Report Tallies Up Another Successful Tax Filing Season for Prosper Tax Help
During the 2022 Tax Filing Season, almost 11,000 people had their tax returns filed by our hardworking team of certified IRS tax preparers. That includes 17,582 hours donated by 315 Prosper Tax Help volunteers. We recovered more than $24 million in refunds for our Central Texas neighbors, most of whom are making low-to-moderate incomes. Most […]
Jewel Arrington Shines in the Financial Wellness Spotlight for July
This month we would like to honor and celebrate our most seasoned volunteer Financial Coach, Jewel Arrington! Jewel has been a Financial Coach with the Financial Wellness program for 14 years. She brings incredible expertise, empathy, creativity and dedication to her role as a financial coach. Jewel is also currently the Chair of Foundation Communities’ […]
Foundation Communities Awarded $6 million in Federal Funding for New Affordable Housing
Foundation Communities has taken another big step toward reaching our current goal for expanding affordable housing in Austin. This week, we were awarded $6 million from the Capital Magnet Fund administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). Foundation Communities is one of 59 organizations nationwide that will receive a […]
Payday loans: How they work, knowing your rights, and knowing the alternatives
What is a payday loan? * A short-term, high-cost loan usually available at a storefront or online * Average payday loan interest rate in Texas is 660% (Texas does not cap interest or fees) * To repay the loan: write a post-dated check for the full balance or provide the lender with ACH authorization (authorization […]
Medical Bill Debt and Collections
Medical bills can be confusing and overwhelming and often come at a time when you’re already in distress. If this sounds like you or a loved one, below is information that can help currently and in the future. Know Your Rights and Protections No Surprises Act o You should not receive unexpected bills for emergency […]
A Mother’s Perseverance Pays Off through Laurel Creek
At the March 30th ribbon cutting ceremony for Laurel Creek Apartments, a resident opened her speech with these powerful words: “My name is Evelyn Chase…and I am not a victim. I am a survivor.” Evelyn is not shy about detailing the abuse she has endured. It caused her to run away from home as a […]
Debt Collection Rule Changes You Should Know
On November 30, 2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new Debt Collection Rule became effective. Here are key points to know about the new rule: What is a debt collection validation notice? When a debt collector first communicates with you, they are required to provide certain information about the debt. This is called a validation […]
¡5 Razones por las cuales deberías presentar tus impuestos con Ayuda de Impuestos Austin!
No te preocupes esta temporada de impuestos. ¡Foundation Communities puede ayudarte a maximizar tu reembolso de forma gratuita! ¿Por qué deberías presentar con Foundation Communities este año? Aquí hay cinco razones por cual deberías usar nuestra asistencia gratuita para la presentación de impuestos en el 2022. Es gratis y los preparadores de pago son caros. […]
