Case Presentation

Home ownership

Background

The client that I interviewed and followed will be

called Ms. Jones for the purpose of this
presentation
Ms. Jones has two children and took on two more
from her sister, she is African American and
separated from her husband. She works at a
chicken plant and has been there for three years.
Ms. Jones meets the financial requirements of
income for a Habitat home but will need to clean
up some credit issues before her debt to income
ratio will meet the criteria.

Problem Statement and Services

Ms. Jones need to have stable housing that is

affordable and can help to provide a foundation
for her family.
Habitat provides interest free home loans and
helps clients achieve home ownership through
partnership and sweat equity.
Habitat provides classes to prepare clients for
home ownership, and financial counseling to help
them reach their goal and clean-up credit.

Strengths and Limitations

Ms. Jones is determined to pay off past

debt and outstanding bills.
She has created a partnership and
gained education on how to achieve
her goal.
She lives on a fixed budget and extra
money is not always available.
Life happens and unexpected expenses
occur.

Assessment Goals and

Intervention Timeframes

Pay off the $2,300 in outstanding debt we will

break this down over a six month period and use
tax return money to pay the bulk portion.
Refrain from opening any new credit accounts
you will not open any new accounts during the
time you are in the program, estimated 2 years.
Work to save $50 a month saving $50 a month
for two years will make the $1,000 deposit for the
home manageable.
Work on money management the entire duration
of the program to build positive habits and
systems

Biases

I always thought that people did not

pay their bills because they it was not
a priority, many times it is because
they are not able to.
I assumed most debt was credit card or
revolving credit debt, I have found that
the majority is medical expenses.

Me and the Client

I did not find many value differences. We both

wanted to provide for our children, we both
worked hard and did the best we could, we both
wanted to give our children a better future, and
we both took pride in being able to accomplish
home ownership and pay debts.
I believe that taking on two additional children
when money was already tight shows her
character. The separation shows she is
independent and strong.
She has maintained a job and shows she is hard
working

Strengths Perspective

Habitat uses self-determination and works from a

Strengths Perspective, the clients must work to
achieve the goal. This is a long term partnership
and program in which the client must meet
multiple goals and build on their abilities.
We can not recommend the client for home
ownership until the debt has been paid and the
credit is cleaned up. Ms. Jones has decreased her
debt to $800. She began paying debt Jan. 27 and
the last check-in was Mar.14.

Research and Reports

There is not substantial research in regards to

clients paying debt. Habitat in every region and
state have different success rates. Around 35%
of the clients who apply for the program, here at
Sandhills, actually achieve home ownership.
I do not recommend any changes t the program
as far as intake and assessment. The screening
process is good and working from the Strengths
Perspective allows the client to grow as people
and understand and appreciate the opportunity.
It also allows the client to gain confidence in
themselves, which is so important.

Competencies

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1, 2, 3,
6, 7, 8
9, 10
12
14, 16
17, 18
19, 20,
24, 25,
28, 29,

4, 5

21, 22
26
30