A monthly class offered by the county housing authority not only helps people find rental units that fit their wants and needs but also is “designed around helping people become better financially literate.”

Ed Mauk, CEO of the Housing and Redevelopment Authorities of Butler County, said the Supported Housing Opportunity Program (SHOP) class is a free opportunity for renters to learn about the best practices they can take when looking for a place to live.

“It talks about credit and budgeting and fair housing, and all the elements around going out and trying to find an apartment,” Mauk said. “And if you want to continue on with counseling services, you can participate in our matching funds program.”

The SHOP class is a one-time free class that begins at 1:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and takes a few hours to complete, Mauk said. It is hosted in partnership with the Butler County Local Housing Options Team, which also helps people transition into housing or into new housing.

According to Mauk, the class typically gets a few people for each session. He said the lessons taught through the class can help people who are newer to the renting game, but also previous renters.

“It's aimed at anyone who needs assistance in being able to rent,” Mauk said. “If you have not (rented) before, it shows how all the elements fit together. Utilities, deposits — a lot of times you have to know all those things to be a successful renter.”

Through the class, people will receive the necessary paperwork to fill out a rental application, have a credit report review and complete a criminal-background check. Participants also will set up a savings account, which can be matched from $250 to $500 by the authority. Additionally, people who take the class receive a gift card from the authority.

Mauk said previously that the housing authority also helps people who want to go from renting property to owning their own homes, but programs and grants for those clients are different from those of renters.

Mauk said the class does not give clients legal advice for their renter’s rights or on dealing with landlords, but it hopefully can help educate renters so they never get into legal situations with their landlords. Additionally, regulations for landlords and tenants can vary based on the municipality in which they reside.

The housing and redevelopment authorities, Mauk said, are a resource for renters and landlords.

“We can assist landlords by assisting their residents with rent,” Mauk said. “It's a tight rental market in this area. Anything you can do to help with that serves the community well.”

For more information on the SHOP class or to register to take a class, visit housingauthority.com.