SAVINGS, LOAN, and community fund Programs

With Everyone Village (E1V)—https://everyonevillage.org/

With our current organizational partner in Eugene, Oregon—Everyone Village (E1V)—we have co-created a matched savings program. Through this program, residents have opportunities to:

  • set a savings goal

  • begin saving each month into a custodial account that safeguards their money

  • engage in experiential activities to create and analyze personal and group balance sheets, cash flows, budgets, and strategies for income smoothing to cover unexpected expenses

  • receive a 1:1 match up to $1,000 when they achieve half of their their savings goal

Goals have ranged from covering first and last months rent + deposit to regain housing, to covering medical or educational expenses, transportation, a computer, artisanal supplies or other microbusiness materials.

With E1V residents and staff, MAPLE is also gathering data and engaging in dialogues to co-design pathways for residents to afford access to cooperative housing in smaller groups.

With Emerald Village Eugene (EVE)—https://www.squareonevillages.org/emerald

Prior to working with residents of Everyone Village, MAPLE Oregon worked with (and continues to work with) residents of a smaller housing cooperative, Emerald Village Eugene (EVE). With EVE residents, MAPLE co-created and established a savings and loan group, and community fund, and self-governing processes for the community to manage these funds in accordance with their own needs, values, and aspirations.

With the Community of p:ear in Portland, Oregon—https://www.pearmentor.org/

Currently, together with our newly allied community, p;ear, a creative non-profit organization serving unhoused youth in Portland, Oregon, we are designing a matched-savings program coupled with a credit building program to help youth build both assets and credit so can enjoy more choices in life. More on this program once we complete our co-design processes in 2025!