News OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling

Financial Flash Newsletter

OnTrack Rental Services: Helping low-income families secure and sustain affordable rental housing

A single mother's son was grazed by a bullet outside of their apartment; OnTrack helped her sign a lease in a safe neighborhood where her children could play without fear.

A Vietnam veteran worked with OnTrack to receive move-in assistance and learn the basic financial skills necessary to stabilize his housing and end his cycle of homelessness.

When the foreclosure of their landlord’s property threatened the housing of a single mother with three children, OnTrack helped defray the costs of moving to a secure living situation.

As part of a full-service housing counseling agency, OnTrack’s Rental Services focus on helping low income residents gain the information and skills necessary to navigate the expensive and demanding rental market to attain stable and affordable rental housing.

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"I learned things about credit and managing my bills in the education classes that I never knew before. Now I have a savings and checking account and save money each month for emergencies. I tell friends all the time to take the classes and take as many notes as they can!"

-Gwen Jones and her three children (l-r: Aniya, Jermaria, and Tre'vontae Jones)

“According to Asheville’s Housing Needs Assessment, 41% of renters now pay more than 30% of their income for housing.  The number soars to 88% for renters earning less than $19,500. Rental Education is the first step to attaining true financial stability – to live in a decent, safe, affordable home,” commented Laurie Knowles, OnTrack Director of Education. She continued, “Learning to negotiate the requirements for renting gives a tenant invaluable experience that’s needed again and again in an individual’s or family’s financial life.”

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OnTrack’s Rental Services

Through education classes and one-on-one counseling, OnTrack helps clients 1) address barriers to obtaining permanent housing and 2) make a realistic plan for maintaining that housing.  OnTrack staff serve as coaches, educators, and counselors throughout the housing stabilization process.

Rental services include:

  • One-on-One financial counseling emphasizing how to budget to pay rent;
  • Rental Education classes, covering how to conduct a rental search and how to establish and maintain a mutually beneficial, professional relationship with the landlord;
  • The Buncombe County Rental Guide providing information about affordability, landlord/tenant law, and property listings; and
  • The HomeBase Program – a three month program to promote long-term stable housing with security deposit assistance available upon meeting program requirements (for Buncombe County residents).

Upcoming Rental Education Classes

  • Saturday, March 6 from 11:00am - 12:30pm
  • Monday, April 5 from 11:00am - 12:30pm

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Agency Collaborations - Addressing the Cycle of Homelessness

OnTrack has enhanced its programming by reaching out to people who have received transitional housing through community partners such as the Veterans' Restoration Quarters, the Steadfast House, Interlace, Homeward Bound, and various halfway houses.   These emerging collaborations empower clients to work on making the changes necessary to maintain stability and move into permanent housing, thus helping clients avoid cycling back into homelessness.

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Financial Assistance Available - The HomeBase Program

Above and beyond rental education and basic financial/credit counseling, OnTrack’s HomeBase program serves to help people get into stable, affordable rental housing with a focus on long-term sustainability.  Clients work with a housing counselor to identify goals and barriers to housing and to learn the skills needed to take control of their housing situation. Clients complete the program with the ability to better manage their own housing situation.  Individuals who are income eligible and complete all program requirements may receive security deposit assistance.  It takes an average of three months to complete the program requirements, find a rental, and move in. 

If you know someone who would be a good fit for the program, the first step is to attend the HomeBase Orientation.

Upcoming HomeBase Orientation

  • Tues, March 2, 5:30-6:30pm
  • Sat, March 27, 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Tues, April 20, 10:00am-11:00am

To sign up for a class or learn more call OnTrack at 828-255-5166 or 1-800-737-5485.

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