Housing Assistance, Employment, and Self-Sufficiency

More than half of the 2 million working-age, nondisabled recipients of federal housing assistance reported earning income over the past year. Having earned income, however, does not mean having enough income to afford housing. To afford housing without assistance, families need to have consistent income, more working hours, and higher wages. Many assisted tenants repeatedly enter and exit the labor force, have part-time rather than full-time work, and seldom earn more than minimum wage. In addition, dependent care obligations, health problems, and other factors may prevent households from affording housing without assistance. Federal, state, and local efforts to promote self-sufficiency among HUD-assisted households and individuals experiencing homelessness have shown mixed results. Please join us for a discussion of these efforts and related research that offer insight into promising practices and lessons for improving programs to foster economic independence among HUD-assisted households. Update on U.S. Housing Market Conditions Kevin Kane, Chief Housing Market Analyst, Economic Market Analysis Division Discussion: Housing Assistance, Employment, and Self-Sufficiency Pamela A. Lawrence, MSW, Neighborhood and Community Investment Specialist, Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Moderator Nick Codd, Senior Consultant, Seattle Jobs Initiative Mary Howard, PhD, LCPC, Chief Resident Services Officer, Chicago Housing Authority Sue Popkin, Director of the Urban Institute's Housing Opportunities and Services Together Initiative Please join PD&R in person at HUD headquarters or via webcast on January 17, 2019, to take part in this important conversation about housing assistance, employment, and self-sufficiency.