S.M.A.R.T. Program Newsletter Fall 2016

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1 SMART Renter Class Data Since July students have become S.M.A.R.T. graduates. We have assisted 10 S.M.A.R.T graduates to be placed in rental homes. Upcoming Classes! November 17th, 2016 S.M.A.R.T. Money 11:00 AM 1:00 PM. & S.M.A.R.T. Credit 1:15 PM 3:15 PM Like our page on Facebook! Chattanooga S.M.A.R..T. Landlords Enjoy Little Caesars Pizza during the break. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, previously located on McCallie Avenue. for 19 years has officially moved their offices to 5720 Uptain Road, Building 6100, Suite 4200, Chattanooga, Tenn Sunday, November 6th at 2:00 a.m. Articles of Interest Winter is not far off. Renters please stay prepared for cold weather emergencies. Tips here: Why do bugs come inside in the Fall?: Come-In-My-House-In-The-Fall.htm Become a S.M.A.R.T Landlord! Contact Valerie Brown

2 Be Thankful, Give back, Empower, Raise Awareness The 17th Annual Grateful Gobbler 5K Run/Walk November 24th at 8:00 at Coolidge Park Upcoming Free Energy Savings Workshops These one hour workshops will teach you simple, low cost ways to save energy and lower your monthly utility bill. For questions call or visit Register now: Raise your awareness! Glass House Collective, 2501 Glass Street -First Monday of every month 6-6:30 pm Sacra Coffee, 801 S. Orchard Knob -Last Saturday of every month am Chattanooga Public Library -Second Thursday of every month 6-7pm Chattanooga Public Library: South Branch -First Tuesday of every month 6-7pm In addition to being the month of Thanksgiving, November is also the month for the following: Epilepsy Awareness Month Basic information on seizures: National Diabetes awareness month Tips on caring for someone with diabetes: recently-diagnosed/8-tips-for-caregivers.html? loc=lwd-slabnav Lung Cancer Awareness Month Summery of lung cancer risks: publications/163-lung_cancer_101/273-risks S.M.A.R.T. graduates are on the Look Out for: Landlords that accept Section 8 housing vouchers Efficiency or one bedroom apartments with rents less than $425/month

3 S.M.A.R.T. Program Newsletter Spring 2016 Fall into Cleaning

4 Fall Into Good Habits! Fall weather equals hearty meals. However, please stay healthy even in the falls months! Here are some recipes: With the beginning of the holiday season, don t forget to work on your partner relationship in addition to family ones. Here is an article to help:

5 The S.M.A.R.T. Program Class Curriculum S.M.A.R.T. Money A money management and Budgeting class taught by June Puett with U.T. Extension, who teaches the concept and skills for improving the methods of managing money, which includes learning about debt reduction, creating and living within a budget and distinguishing between wants and needs. The class also stresses conserving and the importance of saving money for the future and for emergencies. S.M.A.R.T. Credit This class, taught by LaTrisha Schobert, the Director of the Partnership s Consumer Credit Counseling agency, deals with establishing and building credit and teaches how slow or nonpayment of bills affects credit. The participants learn how credit scores are calculated and the affects of interest over time. Ms. Schobert examines the pitfalls of predatory lending practices such as payday loans and car title loans and the damaging effects that they can have on credit. The class also stresses the importance of checking your credit report yearly to make sure that it accurately reflects your true credit history. S.M.A.R.T. Neighbor This class, taught by an actual landlord, covers the importance of taking care of one s rental home and respecting the rights and privacy of neighbors. The class deals with transitioning from one type of living environment to another, good neighbor etiquette, and preventative maintenance tips. City of Chattanooga representatives from Neighborhood Services and 311 review city codes and ordinances, proper methods of disposing of waste and the importance of neighborhood association participation. A representative from EPB discusses energy efficiency, conservation and EPB services. S.M.A.R.T. Renter s Rights This class, taught by attorneys from Southeast Tennessee Legal Services, teaches students their rights and responsibilities as a tenant. The instructor assists students in understanding how to handle disputes and resolve issues that may arise while renting a property. Upon completion of the class, participants will have an understanding of the components of a lease and its contractual obligations, Tennessee landlord/tenant laws, the eviction process and how to report discriminatory practices. S.M.A.R.T. Landlord The class is taught by Southeast Tennessee Legal Services, Donna Casteel with City of Chattanooga Code Violations and Sergeant Wayne Jefferson with the Chattanooga Police Department. The course provides landlords with the knowledge and resources enabling them to be informed and involved property managers that provide safe, well maintained rental housing; understanding the rules associated with the Federal Fair Housing Act, the Tennessee Landlord Tenant Act and HUD guidelines. The presenters also cover the consequences for noncompliance of the laws and guidelines, warning signs of drug and/or illegal activity and the things that they can do to deter illegal activity in their rental properties. **The S.M.A.R.T. Program was created to empower potential tenants with budgeting, saving, credit management and good neighbor skills. We are asking landlords, apartment and property managers to join our program by becoming a S.M.A.R.T. Landlord and benefiting from having access to a pool of renters that have been given the skills to maintain a stable household and make excellent tenants. By becoming a S.M.A.R.T. Landlord you give previously credit challenged applicants the opportunity to have adequate housing and regain credit worthiness. In addition to financial counseling, our training also deals with good neighbor and home maintenance skills, as well as information regarding city services, providing each potential tenant with the knowledge to be great tenants and wonderful neighbors. Upon completion of the program, the applicant receives a S.M.A.R.T. certificate that we ask S.M.A.R.T. landlords to honor and consider in the application process. If the tenant is late with their rent payment within the first six months, they can be referred back to our program for additional budget training and counseling.

6 S.M.A.R.T. Program Certificate of Completion This Certificate is presented to for completing training in Financial Fitness and Good Neighbor Practices. On this, the 31st day of August 2016 Housing Counseling Case Coordinator LANDLORDS Advertise available properties here!!!! Be a S.M.A.R.T. Landlord Know that your tenants have been trained to: Manage their money Pay on time Take care of your property Be a good neighbor S.M.A.R.T. Program Pledge As a S.M.A.R.T. graduate, I pledge to: Make rent & utilities my first priority & always pay on time. Before I spend money, ask myself if it s a need or a want. Set a savings and/or debt reduction goal. Set aside an emergency fund for unexpected occurrences. Open & maintain a savings &/or checking account w/o acquiring fees. Use credit responsibly & check my credit report annually. Avoid high interest companies like payday loans & check cashing stores. Let my creditors know if my payment will be late. Save money for long term goals such as education or retirement. Be a considerate & responsible neighbor. These classes are made possible by a grant from HUD & The City of Chattanooga, Andy Berke Mayor In partnership with: University of Tennessee Extension, The Partnership Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Home Solutions, Legal Aid of East Tennessee and EPB