Prosper Centers

City of Austin RENT Program

Our Financial Wellness Team can help you determine if you are eligible, complete your application and submit your documents.

Please call us at 737-717-4000 to schedule an appointment by phone or in person at one of our Prosper Centers.

If you live in the City of Austin, you meet certain income limits, and you have suffered a financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for assistance.

For more information about the RENT Program, visit the City’s web site: https://www.austintexas.gov/rent

One-on-One Financial Coaching

Download our Financial Coaching Flyer

 

Financial Coaching is a free service provided by trained volunteers who can work with you one-on-one to make sure you have the tools, resources, and encouragement you need reach your financial goals.

Financial Coaches can help you:

• Create a plan for reaching your financial goals
• Create a budget
• Find a bank account that is right for you
• Check your credit and create a plan for improving your score
• Create a plan to reduce your debt
• Deal with debts in collection
• Create a plan to save for the future or for emergencies
• Provide access to emergency assistance, credit building, and savings products to eligible participants

Financial Coaches CANNOT help you:

• Choose or open investment accounts
• Advise on or file for bankruptcy
• Address legal matters

Some Financial Coaches specialize in the management of small business finances.

HOW TO SIGN UP

Financial Coaches are available by appointment only. Virtual appointments by phone or Zoom are available on weekdays, evenings and Saturdays. Limited in-person appointments are available at our two Prosper Center Locations.

Financial Coaching is available in Spanish, Hindi, Gujarati and American Sign Language. We work with interpretation services to provide Financial Coaching in other many languages as well.

Click here to schedule an appointment or call our Prosper Centers at 737-717-4000

– Read our Financial Coaching Letter of Agreement –

Locations

 

Financial Wellness Classes

Financial Wellness Classes are led by experienced financial coaches at our Austin housing communities, Prosper Centers, and online. Class topics include credit, debt, budgeting, and saving. Classes are interactive, allowing the instructor to tailor the class to the needs of participants.

SELF-PACED CLASSES

How Money Smart Are You?

This is a suite of 14 games and related resources about everyday financial topics. It’s based on FDIC’s award-winning Money Smart program.
Play the games here.

Financially Recovering from a Disaster Webinar

Watch the Recording here

When a disaster hits, it is time to get realistic and prioritize what is most important to your household’s finances. In this webinar, we reviewed ways to be proactive, develop a plan of action, where to find help, and ways to protect your money.

Money Smart Computer-Based Instruction
Self-paced modules, work on them any time

You can participate in the FDIC’s Money Smart computer-based instruction from any computer or tablet. Topics include banking, spending plans, saving, credit, home ownership, protecting your money, financial recovery, and more. Modules for youth are also available. Once you pass a module by scoring 80% or higher on the quiz questions, you can download or print your certificate of completion.
Register for Money Smart Computer-Based Instruction here.

Fresh Start Loans

Fresh Start Loan helps borrowers get out of predatory loans such as payday and title loans. The Fresh Start Loan reports to all three main credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This flexible loan never charges extra fees. In fact, it offers discounts if borrowers are able to pay back the loan early. This loan also offers APRs way below typical payday and title loans, regardless of the borrower’s credit score. A Fresh Start loan helps borrowers build credit, while saving them over $500 in the long run.

To apply, schedule an appointment with a Financial Coach, Click here to schedule an appointment or call our Prosper Centers at 737-717-4000

• You may qualify if you:

Are working toward goals with a Financial Coach

Currently have Payday and/or Title loans with a total balance up to $1,000

Have a valid Social Security Number

Have a checking account that you use regularly

Have online banking set up with your bank or credit union (a Financial Coach can help set this up)

Have regular take-home pay

 

SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS OF FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES HOUSING

Emergency rent and utility assistance is available to residents of Foundation Communities housing who are having temporary difficulty paying their rent or utility bills because of a recent job loss, serious illness, or other emergency.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Emergency rent and utility assistance is only available to residents of Foundation Communities housing who have recently faced a financial emergency. A financial emergency is a situation that, if not addressed, could jeopardize your housing, health, or employment. Some examples of an emergency are a job loss or a serious illness or injury.

Assistance with rent is NOT available if:

• You have received Emergency Rent Assistance from Foundation Communities in the last 12 months
• You have received Emergency Rent Assistance from Foundation Communities three times total

Assistance with Austin Energy electric bills is NOT available if:

• You need help paying the deposit
• You are an employee of Foundation Communities
• You have been charged with meter tampering
• You have received Utility Assistance from Foundation Communities in the last 12 months

WHAT TO EXPECT

When applying for Emergency Assistance, you will be asked to:

• Demonstrate loss of income or increased expenses due to an emergency, such as job loss, illness, or injury
• Outline a plan for future self-sufficiency
• Provide a copy of your most recent utility bill (if applying for utility assistance)

HOW TO SIGN UP

You can call 737-717-4000 or schedule an appointment through an on-site staff member, such as a Property Manager, Resident Services Coordinator, Case Manager, or Learning Center Coordinator.

Meet Our Staff