We know that Texas is the land of “everything bigger” but there is an exception: LISC Houston’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)TM network. Nationally, LISC has over 120 FOC partners in more than 29 urban and rural communities. With Houston in the mix, and as the fourth largest city in the nation, our FOC network is comprised of four partner agencies that serve the entire city yet has an oversized impact on helping Houstonians become financially stable and grow their wealth. When compared to other similar markets across the nation, our FOCs outperform on several indicators. For example, in 2023 Houston served just over 4,300 people through a counseling session or workshop at one of our four FOC sites. Chicago served just under 4,000 people through their nine FOC sites, and Indianapolis served about 1,100 people through their seven FOC sites. Detroit has 11 FOC sites and served about 4,000 people.
Launched in Houston in 2010, the FOCs implement LISC’s nationally recognized, evidence-based model on integrated service delivery, bundling financial, employment, and income supports (public benefits) coaching. Collectively, the FOCs offer 25 vocational training opportunities connecting residents to high-growth, high-demand in green industry (particularly in advanced manufacturing and construction) and green support industries such as healthcare, cyber security, and customer service. As noted above, in 2023 Houston’s network served more than 4,300 people. Almost three quarters (72%) of them received all three core coaching services. This means a person went beyond a single counseling session or workshop, and established a relationship with the FOC, to start working on their financial and employment goals. Research shows that FOC clients who take advantage of all three combined services are 50% more likely to land a well-paying job than people receiving employment services alone. Our data shows that almost 500 people had an increase in their earnings, and just over 400 people were placed in jobs!
To get a job (or a better job) over 700 people began a training or education program, and just under 350 completed a training; 161 people earned an industry-recognized credential.
Over 1,000 people had a credit report showing an improved FICO credit score or going from unscored to scored (important for most activities in life – insurance, buying a house or car, even employment!). More than 900 people had their monthly net income increase, and 937 had their net worth increase.
Almost 1,500 people were served in income supports, and 275 applied for at least one benefit – helping close the gap of critical assistance dollars left on the table that could help spur economic activity while stabilizing households. In Harris County, between $706 - $909 million in public benefits are not accessed by individuals and families who qualify! Another important component is digital literacy – more than 1,500 people attended a digital literacy workshop for the first time, and 228 digital literacy workshops were delivered.
As a result of the impact being made in Houston by our FOC network, our expertise is being sought after and we are helping elevate the field by sharing our best practices and learnings. In June, we’ll be presenting our work alongside an FOC partner agency at the Credit Builders Alliance 11th Annual Credit Building Symposium, a national conference being held in Washington, DC. As we move through 2024, we will continue the focus on training for healthcare and manufacturing, while seeking out opportunities for apprenticeships, financial education for entrepreneurs and small business owners, improving digital literacy, and green jobs. All while continuing our network’s Texas-sized impact on Houstonians.
For more information contact Ellary Makuch at emakuch@lisc.org