Over a few years, Robert had accumulated more than $5,000 in debt. His low-paying job wasn’t helping him solve the problem, so he became involved with the Community Action Agency program in his city. There, he participated in several job and life-skills training sessions.

His dedication and commitment to helping himself led to being accepted into a tenant-based assistance program. There, he received subsidized rent based on one-third of his income, so Robert could focus on his financial responsibilities.

Robert set financial goals for himself. He developed a spending and money-management plan that he could stick with. Every month, he paid at least $100 toward his debt-reduction plan and is working toward getting out of subsidized housing and into his own house.