Nebraska RentWise

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www.RentWise.org

Nebraska Housing Developers Association

What is RentWise

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?

RentWise © is a tenant education program to help people obtain and keep rental housing and to be successful renters through education.

• • • • • • This program includes 6 modules with information on: Communication with Landlords and Neighbors Managing Your Money Finding a Place to Call Home Getting Through the Rental Process Taking Care of Your Home When You Move Out

RentWise

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Curriculum

 Communication with Landlords and Neighbors – Active Listening, Positive Messages and Settling Conflict to name a few (Develop positive communication skills)  Managing Your Money – Income, Expenses, Credit Reports, Buying on Credit, Ways to Track Spending and Reducing Expenses (Learn how to manage money and plan for housing costs)

RentWise

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Curriculum Cont.

 Finding a Place to Call Home – Determining Housing Needs vs. Wants, Where to Look for Information, Steps in Finding a Place and Checking Out the Unit (Prepare individuals to conduct searches for rental units)  Getting Through the Rental Process – Rental Application, Giving Information to Landlords, Fair Housing and Common Applicant Screening Practices (Understand a lease, and a tenant’s rights and responsibilities)

RentWise

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Curriculum Cont.

 Taking Care of Your Home – Cleaning and Basic Home Maintenance (Encourage residents to take pride in their homes and set a positive example)  When You Move Out – Security Deposts, Evictions and Notices (Prepare participants to move out and move up!)

History of Nebraska RentWise

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• RentWise © Minnesota.

was originally created by the University of • In 2004 the University of Nebraska Lincoln obtained the license for RentWise © .

• RentWise © was first introduced to Nebraska in 2005 by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln Cooperative Extension. They delivered three Train the Trainer workshops in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney.

• RentWise © was first provided in conjunction with a tenant based rental assistance program for adults with serious mental illness and staff from Assistive Technology Partnership began delivering RentWise © training to people participating in the Housing for Persons with Aids Program.

History of Nebraska RentWise

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Cont.

• In 2005 the Nebraska RentWise © Coalition was formed.

• In 2006/2007 the curriculum was written and printed for Nebraska Renters. (English and Spanish versions) • In June of 2006 & June 2008 – Train the Trainer workshops were held and over 200 people in Nebraska were trained to teach Nebraska RentWise © .

• In 2009 the Nebraska RentWise Lead Agency.

© Coalition developed a strategic plan and the Nebraska Housing Developers Association was identified as the

Nebraska RentWise

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Structure

Nebraska RentWise © Coalition Nebraska Housing Developers Association – Lead Agency Nebraska RentWise © Networks Various Organizations Numerous Trainers Individual Organizations A few Trainers

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Nebraska RentWise

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Coalition

Seanna Collins, Lincoln Housing Authority • Sharon Johnson, Department of Health & Human Services – Division of Medicaid and Long-term Care • Misty Livingston-West – Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska • Amber Marker – Nebraska Housing Developers Association • Shirley Niemeyer – University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension • Michelle Oestmann – Heartland Family Service • Lauren Rock – Assistive Technology Partnership • John Turner – Region V Systems

Nebraska RentWise

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Coalition Cont.

Mission: Helping communities create positive rental experiences through education.

• Supports the development of community networks that involve a broad cross-section of organizations in the delivery of Nebraska RentWise © curriculum.

• Participate in the delivery of training to trainers and approve the list of certified Nebraska RentWise © trainers.

• Develop evaluation methods that reflect the impact of Nebraska RentWise © training on increasing renter knowledge and stabilizing renter housing.

• Identify funding opportunities to support Nebraska RentWise © .

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Nebraska Housing Developers Association

Builds awareness about the value and availability of Nebraska RentWise © .

• Provides guidance on developing training networks or delivering training.

• Coordinates and delivers training with assistance from Nebraska RentWise © Coalition members – Train the Trainer events are held a minimum of twice each year • Maintains a current list of certified Nebraska RentWise © Trainers.

• Maintains the www.RentWise.org

website – Contains general information, resource materials for training delivery and a schedule of training events in Nebraska • Gathers evaluations completed by tenant participants and trainers.

• Manages the distribution of all training materials

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Nebraska RentWise

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Networks

Lincoln Network – formed in 2008, coordinated by the Lincoln Housing Authority • Western Nebraska Network – formed in 2009, coordinated by the Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska in Gering • Omaha Network – formed in 2010, coordinated by Heartland Family Services • Central Nebraska Network – formed in 2010, coordinated by Center for Independent Living in Grand Island

How to Get Involved in Nebraska RentWise

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• • • • Become a Trainer Provide Funding for Nebraska RentWise Landlords Provide Incentives © Refer Clients, Friends and Family to Local Nebraska RentWise © Classes The next Nebraska RentWise © Train the Trainer will be in May.

Contact Information Amber Marker

Program Manager Nebraska Housing Developers Association [email protected]

Phone: (402) 435-0315 x2 Fax: (402) 435-0331