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Our Impact

IDA PROJECT

“Not only did the IDA Project help me financially, but it also helped me resourcefully. I was provided with so much useful information that will help me further on in life. I am forever grateful to United Way.”

Meleah, IDA participant, Auto

WHAT IS THE IDA PROJECT

United Way’s IDA Project is designed to help low-income individuals and families save money through a matched savings program and meet the needs of communities that have long-standing high percentages of intergenerational poverty. We are addressing these needs by helping participants purchase a new home or vehicle, start a new or expand an existing small business, pay for post-secondary education, or maintain their home.

Participants make regular deposits to a special Individual Development Account, held at a local financial institution. When the savings goal is reached, United Way sends a check for the asset investment to the closing agency, dealership, college, or vendor.

The project was launched with support from United Way Worldwide, Entergy Corporation, Women United, and Capital One in 2006 and has helped make homeownership a reality for more than 550 families.

 

Participants receive a 4:1 match on their savings

  • Save $1,500 and receive $6,000 match for a home 
  • Save $1,000 and receive $4,000 match for a small business
  • Save $500 and receive $2,000 match for post-secondary education
  • Save $500 and receive $2,000 match for home maintenance/repair
  • Save $500 and receive #2,000 match for a vehicle
View the Brochure

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Participants must be an individual or a household, have earned income, and meet the following criteria:

  • Household net worth was less than 10,000 at the end of the calendar year that preceded the time of their application (not including the value of their primary dwelling unit and one motor vehicle);
  • Household annual adjusted gross income is less than twice (200%) the Federal Poverty Level at the time of application (see chart below) or within Federal Earned Income Tax Credit limits.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Commit to staying in the IDA Project until reaching savings goal

Deposit at least $50 each month while participating in the program

Be enrolled for at least six months before withdrawing from the Individual Development Account

Attend financial education and asset-specific training

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Credit Counseling Services

Case Management Services

Financial Education Training

Asset Specific Training

One-Year Follow-Up

IDA Project Inquiry Form

IDA PROGRAM INQUIRY APPLICATION FORM

Supported by

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Credit
Human

Family Violence
Program of St. Bernard

Jefferson Community Action Programs

Metairie Bank

Metropolitan Center for Women & Children

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity

OnPath Federal Credit Union

Red River Bank

Your community needs you. Donate now.

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OUR PROGRAMS

United Way offers a variety of options for people to support their community, whether through donations, advocacy, corporate partnerships, or joining one of our groups.

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ALL PROGRAMS

Helena Moreno

Campaign Email:  letsgo@helenamorenola.com
Contact Phone Number:  (504) 655-2878


Campaign Website and Social Media Handles
www.helenamorenola.com
@HelenamorenoHQ  |  @helenamorenola

Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

Yes.

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment:  If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

Yes.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs. Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school. This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments?

Yes.

How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them. If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.