Innovative Housing is committed to helping its tenants stay stable in their housing, meet their basic needs, and access opportunities that improve their quality of life and increase their household stability. We do this by advocating for residents, connecting them to existing community resources and service providers, sponsoring community-building activities, and coordinating site-based programming.
 Summer Lunches
at Kinnaman Townhomes
Resident Services Awarded $100,000 from Paul G. Allen Foundation
In December 2009, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation awarded IHI’s Resident Services Program $100,000 to help its residents maintain their housing stability during tough economic times. These funds allow IHI to provide direct assistance to families and individuals who are experiencing unexpected expenses or sudden losses of income. Using Allen funds, IHI has already helped 28 households remain stable. For instance, after being unemployed for several months, one single mother could not afford transportation to and from her new job until she received her first paycheck. IHI was able to purchase her first month’s bus pass. The sole wage-earner of another family had lost his job and, because he was employed through a temp agency, did not qualify for unemployment benefits. IHI helped the family catch up on bills and connected them with long-term rent assistance. IHI is very excited to be able to offer this extra support to our residents. Many thanks to The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation!
 Summer Lunches
IHI's Resident Services and Programs
New Tenant Orientations
Each new resident is given written information about Resident Services at their move-in, and Resident Services staff contact new residents within one month to welcome them to their new homes and explain the services available to them.
Information and Resource Referrals (I&R)
Resident Services staff circulate flyers and bi-monthly newsletters that contain information about site-specific community resources and events. Resident Services staff also coordinate on-site resources and are available on-site and/or via telephone to respond to specific I&R requests.
Direct Services and Advocacy
Resident Services staff help residents complete applications for employment, education, and benefits. They also help residents advocate for themselves with employers, schools, public agencies, and so on.
Eviction Prevention
Resident Services intervenes whenever a behavior or circumstance threatens a resident’s tenancy. Resident Services staff respond to notices, provide relevant resource referrals, educate residents about landlord/tenant law, and make sure that residents are aware of their options and the potential consequences. When residents pay rent late, IHI coordinates with the property managers to waive accumulated late fees if the residents meet with Resident Services staff for a needs assessment and budgeting session.
 Resident Services Workshop
Resident Services staff partner with community agencies to offer regular site-based workshops. These include both detailed presentations about specific community resources and direct education about a variety of topics such as resume writing, registering to vote, and health and nutrition. Resident Services staff also work with site management to present an annual Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Workshop.
Community Building
Community cohesion is a critical component of vibrant communities, and Resident Services works closely with site managers to ensure a variety of successful community-building events throughout the year. These include barbeques, community dinners, ice cream socials, and holiday celebrations. In addition, we sponsor volunteer recognition ceremonies, tenant meetings, family nights, and regular activities and events.
Emergency Fund
IHI’s Emergency Fund ensures that residents meet their basic needs and do not miss critical opportunities. Resident Services staff can provide residents with a resource or even pay a bill when there are no other community resources available to meet the specific need.
Employment Support
Resident Services staff work one-on-one with job seekers to improve job search skills, develop resumes, and strengthen interview skills. We work closely with local employment agencies to ensure that residents can access job-related trainings, education, and resources. We also provide direct resources such as interview attire or work boots.
Financial Education
Through the Foundations for Financial Stability Program, IHI provides one-on-one financial education and counseling that includes identifying priorities and goals, developing a practical household budget, paycheck planning, and credit protection and repair. We also offer a Financial Fitness and Asset Building Program in which resident parents receive Section 8 rental subsidies in exchange for a commitment to participate in an education or job training program and work with Resident Services to develop positive money management skills and repair and build credit scores.
 American Red Cross's
When I'm in Charge Class
IHI’s general youth services include summer lunch and activities programs, an annual school supply giveaway, a winter coat fundraiser and giveaway, after-school activities, workshops, events, field trips, and homework help. In addition, we coordinate Innovative Youth$ave, a youth financial education and Individual Development Account program that provides age-appropriate financial education, community service opportunities, and matched savings for youth in grades 6–12, and Innovative Futures, a program in which IHI partners closely with resident children’s classroom teachers and school staff as well as a variety of community organizations to improve the academic success and community engagement of resident youth.
Here is the latest IHI Resident Services newsletter. Remember, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file. Enjoy!
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Income Tax Credits for Oregonians
Working families and persons with low or moderate income may qualify for various tax credits worth up to several thousand dollars. Even people who owe no taxes may qualify for a refundable credit and have their taxes prepared for free. Click here to find a local tax-aide site or more information in your local area, or call the AARP at 1-888-227-7669.
Health Insurance
The Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP) is an Oregon state program that helps uninsured individuals and families purchase health insurance by paying between 50% and 95% of their monthly premium. If your household is eligible for insurance through an employer but can’t afford it, call FHIAP at 1-888-564-9669 for more information on the Group Insurance program. If your family doesn’t get insurance through an employer you may qualify for the Individual Insurance program. There is currently a waiting list for Individual Insurance, but call today to add your name.
To qualify for FHIAP you must meet income guidelines, someone in your household must have been uninsured for the past 6 months (unless leaving OHP) and you cannot be eligible to receive Medicare. However, if you enrolled in your employer’s plan less than 90 days ago you may still be able to apply.
Oregon Tradeswomen
The Oregon Tradeswomen’s Trades and Apprenticeship Career (TAC) Class prepares low-income women for careers in the trades and helps them find apprenticeships. This is a FREE program. Participants will:
* Gain 30 hours of hands-on experience working alongside skilled female instructors at Habitat for Humanity.
* Explore topics like safety, construction culture, apprenticeship, communication.
* Learn basic trades math and measurement.
* Try out the tools of various trades through visits to apprenticeship training centers and hand-on activities led by trades people.
To qualify for the program you must:
1. Be 18 years or older
2. Have a GED or High School Diploma
3. Be able to get a driver’s license
4. Be physically able to do the work
5. Be 6 months clean and sober
6. Be able to pass a drug test
7. Speak basic English
Call 503-335-8200 x21 to find out upcoming dates and to sign up for a Trades Career Information Session.
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Ways to Work
Are you a working parent in need of transportation assistance? Ways to Work might be able to help! Ways to Work, operated locally by Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), provides working parents with a low-interest loan of up to $4000 to purchase a car when other transit options are impractical. If you qualify, MFS staff will help you find a quality vehicle and work with you to fit the loan payments into your household budget. This program can also assist with refinancing high-interest rate loans or paying for a car repair.
To be eligible for Ways to Work you must:
1. Be a parent.
2. Live in Multnomah, Washington or Clackamas county.
3. Work for at least 20 hours a week.
4. Have an income LESS than 80% of Area Median Income ($54,300 a year for a family of four).
For more information, please contact the MFS Ways to Work Coordinator, Shawn Shultz, at 503-232-0007, ext. 350.
Start Your Own Small Business
Do you have an idea for your own small business? Are you scared you lack the business know-how to succeed? Do you need money to get started? Maybe you don’t even know where to begin. MercyCorps Northwest may be able to help!
If you work for pay, make less than 80% of Area Median Income ($38,000 a year for a one-person household and $54,300 a year for a family of four), have a net worth of less than $20,000 and are 18 years of age or older you might qualify for the MercyCorps Individual Development Account (IDA) program. The MercyCorps IDA’s will match the money you save towards starting or expanding your own small business 2:1 up to $900. This means that if you save $900, MercyCorps will match your savings with $1800 and you’ll have $2700 in capital to purchase necessary materials for your business.
Plus, while you are saving you get to take the MercyCorps business courses. These classes offer valuable information about starting and running a small business. MercyCorps will also help you develop your own business plan. If you would like to learn more about MercyCorps Northwest you can visit them on the web at www.mercycorpsnw.org or call 503-236-1580, ext. 205.
Women's Health
Planned Parenthood offers women of childbearing age a FREE annual gynecological exam, a FREE one year supply of the birth control of their choice and FREE emergency contraceptives. Other reproductive services are offered at discounted prices and most insurances, including OHP are accepted.
Locations and Phone Numbers:
Beaverton– 503-646-8222
12220 SW 1st St. #200 Beaverton, OR 97005
NE Portland– 503-288-8826
3531 NE 15th Ave. Suite B Portland, OR 97212
SE Portland– 503-775-0861
3231 SE 50th Ave. Portland, OR 97214
Gresham– 503-666-6680
501 NE Hood Suite 100 Gresham, OR 97030
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