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Improved credit is more than a number on a report. It changes what renters can access, how stable their finances feel, and what kinds of opportunities are realistic for their families.
Through the work of Esusu and its partners, renters using rent reporting have increased their credit scores by an average of 53 points and unlocked tens of billions of dollars in new credit activity. Behind those numbers are concrete changes in day‑to‑day life: more reliable transportation, access to education, and the ability to move toward homeownership.
Access to reliable transportation
At first glance, a new or refinanced car loan might not sound like a top priority for someone focused on long‑term financial health. In practice, access to a safe, reliable vehicle can dramatically change a renter’s options.
With reliable transportation, people can:
- Reach a wider range of jobs and more flexible shifts;
- Move to or stay in safer neighborhoods;
- Access full‑service grocery stores and other essential services more easily.
Research on transportation and food access has shown a meaningful link between vehicle access and reduced food insecurity. One study of Maryland communities found that the predicted probability of food insecurity was substantially lower for households with vehicle access than for those without.
For Esusu resident Jamease, newly established credit helped her secure a car loan. That purchase cut down a long commute, gave her more time with family, and made it easier to pursue new work opportunities.
Improved credit does not just change what renters qualify for on paper. It can change how far they can realistically travel for work, what schedules they can manage, and how much time they get back every day.
From higher credit to higher education
While student loan policy remains a topic of national debate, education is still one of the most consistent predictors of earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with a bachelor’s degree had median weekly earnings of around $1,432 in 2022, compared with about $853 for workers whose highest level of education was a high school diploma. That difference adds up to hundreds of dollars more per week in potential income.
Education also compounds across generations. Data from national surveys show that most adults with a bachelor’s degree have at least one parent who also completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, which means access to education - and the financial tools that support it - often runs in families.
When renters have stronger credit, they may have an easier time:
- Qualifying for student loans on better terms;
- Accessing flexible financing for upskilling and certification programs;
- Managing the transition from school into higher‑paid work.
Rent reporting does not replace difficult policy questions about tuition and repayment, but it does help more renters show the kind of credit history most lenders look for when evaluating education-related borrowing.
Building wealth by building a home
Homeownership remains one of the most common ways American households build and pass on wealth. Data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances show that the median wealth of homeowner households is many times larger than that of renter households.
For renters, especially those whose families have not historically owned homes, the path to homeownership is often more complex. Limited or nonexistent credit history can be a major barrier to getting a mortgage approved, even when income and savings are in place.
As of late 2023, Esusu data showed that more than 33,000 residents participating in rent reporting had successfully attained a mortgage, representing over $14 billion in home loan volume created through access to better credit.
Those mortgages represent more than just a transaction:
- A more stable living situation;
- An asset that can grow over time;
- And a foundation for generational wealth in families that may have been excluded from ownership in the past.
Improved credit is not the only ingredient in a home purchase, but it is a critical one - and positive rent reporting helps more renters reach that milestone.
The work continues
Credit scores are only one part of a renter’s financial life, but they influence everything from car loans and student financing to mortgage applications and security deposits.
Esusu’s platform is built to help renters:
- Build and improve credit through on‑time rent reporting;
- Stay housed during temporary hardship through rent relief;
- And access tools, education, and coaching that support longer‑term financial health.
To go deeper on how rent reporting connects to equity, wealth building, and policy, explore Esusu’s latest white papers and resources on the Social Impact and Credit Hub pages.