To help people become financially stable, we help to create permanent and transitional housing that get people out of crisis, develop job skills and employment opportunities that lead to increased income, and provide financial education that leads to increased savings and the acquisition of assets.

Meeting basic needs

As many as one-third of working families nationwide do not make enough money to meet their basic needs.  Add to that challenges brought on by the current economic climate and it could push a family over the edge.  Last year, the United Way-funded 211 helpline received approximately 700 more calls per month than in the previous year; an indication of the growing number of individuals in need of help.

As of January 2009, there were more than 4,500 homeless individuals and families in Miami-Dade County.  United Way funds programs to help secure temporary, transitional and permanent housing in order to help individuals and families meet basic needs and prevent homelessness.  One such program provides temporary housing for up to 18 months to individuals and families, and works with these individuals to help secure jobs and transition them into permanent housing. 

United Way-funded programs provide assistance to individuals and families in financial crisis through a combination of rent, mortgage, utility and food vouchers.  Last year, 1,040 individuals and families received assistance, enabling them to meet their basic needs and prevent homelessness.  

United Way also administers funds provided by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), a federal program that helps people with economic emergency needs.   Services include shelter, bulk food distribution, rent and mortgage assistance, as well as utility assistance.

Financial education for better money managment

Today, Florida is the third leading state in foreclosure filings.  Some 1.2 million Floridians are expected to default on their loans in 2009-2010.   Research also shows that as many as one-third of Americans live beyond their means.  
 
United Way funds programs that provide financial education and counseling to help individuals budget and manage their money, and to prevent foreclosure.  Just last year, 80 individuals participated in foreclosure prevention counseling; 1,700 in financial education workshops; and 1,400 in intensive financial counseling.  In one program focused on debt reduction, 827 individuals were provided with debt management plans and of that number, 264 are now debt-free. 

Through a partnership with the Human Services Coalition, Walmart Foundation and One Economy, United Way created a public awareness campaign about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  The federal refund for low-income working individuals and families averages from $1,908 per family to up to $4,400, but many who are eligible do not know they qualify or how to claim it.  As a result of the campaign, 2,190 tax filers received $854,947 in refunds in 2008.   

Increased income that leads to financial stability

These days, having a job and making enough money to support a family is not enough to secure a stable financial future. 

In response to the challenging economy, United Way created the Center for Financial Stability to expand our work in the income area, where there has been an increase in demand for assistance.

The Center provides a full range of tools and resources necessary to help individuals and families increase and maximize their income, a critical step to achieving financial stability. It allows them to not only meet daily expenses, but have additional funds to begin the long-term process of building their savings.  With their savings underway, these individuals will be in a better position to gain and protect their assets such as buying a house, starting a business or saving for college or retirement.

All clients receive personalized assistance from one of the Center’s financial coaches, who customize the services to meet their clients’ specific financial needs.  Working together, the client and the financial coach develop a comprehensive plan to establish goals and set benchmarks necessary to reach financial stability. 

The Center is one of two national pilot sites selected through a United Way Worldwide/Bank of America partnership, with Bank of America as the founding partner.