Program areas at GWUL
Economic empowerment - gwul provides economic empowerment programs which focus on financial wellness and entrepreneurship. Services offered through the center for financial inclusion assists people with addressing the root causes of financial decision making which are often caused by financial trauma and daily stress. Through the work of the cfi clients learn to manage financial stress, triggers, and anxiety so they can ultimately build and pass along generational wealth. In fiscal year 2020 the center for financial inclusion provided financial education workshops, individual financial coaching, and financial therapy for 732 clients. The gwul entrepreneurship center is armed with proven programs that help numerous black entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. The entrepreneurship center serves ourcommunities with a complete ecosystem of partners, tools, and resources that helps our black businesses start, grow, and thrive. Gwul's entrepreneurship assistance includes small business development; financial and credit counseling; facilitation of access to capital; executive business mentorship, including networking opportunities; and business licensing assistance. In fiscal year 2020 the entrepreneurship center served 382 entrepreneurs.
Housing services - the Greater Washington Urban League is a lead administrator for the district's home ownership assistance programs including hpap, eahp and neahp which plays a pivotal role in bringing together those in search of a home and their new abodes. Hpap enableslower-and moderate-wealth individuals and families and district employees to purchase affordable housing in Washington, d.c. Qualified applicants can receive up to $104,000 in financial assistance to purchase single-family houses, condominiums, and cooperative apartments. Funds can be used for acquisition assistance and/or closing costs. This acquisition assistance is in the form of 0% interest deferred loan. Loan amounts are determined by a combination of factors, including income, household size, and the number of assets that an applicant can commit toward the purchase price of a home. In fiscal year 2020, gwul in partnership with the dc department of housing and community development assisted 209 families in creating wealth by purchasing their first homes through these programs. 80% of the families assisted were african-american and 60% of the purchasers were women. The League disbursed $11,213,154 in client down payment assistance for the hpap program. The Greater Washington Urban League is an administrator for the district's department of energy & environment's weatherization program. This program decreases the housing cost burden on low-wealth families, increases home safety and improves upon their environmental footprint. The program offers weatherization services including such renovations as atiic sealing and insulation, window and door replacements, appliance upgrades and hvac systems repairs. Such services are offered at no cost for those who qualify. In fiscal year 2020 gwul, in partnership with doee assisted 9 single family households and 5 apartment buildings & co-ops in decreasing housing costs and becoming energy efficient through the weatherization program. The League disbursed $448,693 to weatherize homes through this program. Additionally, the League provides a suite of housing counseling services in partnership with the dc department of housing and community development, the national Urban League, and capital one bank. The suite includes credit counseling, foreclosure counseling, income certifications, inclusionary zoning orientations, an 18-month homebuyers club, first time homebuyers workshops, financial capability counseling, and general home maintenance counseling. The League has hud certified housing counselors and the program served over 3,000 individuals and families in fy20.