From Economic Opportunity Studies, this article shows the impact of increasing energy costs on the low-income population. Authors also offer a comparison of the energy burden across income categories, and found that the resource available for…

This report, co-authored by Mathematica Policy Research and the Urban Institute, reviews findings from the congressionally mandated evaluation funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). The study focused…

This article, through the Center for Law and Social Policy, reviews the child support enforcement program and its contribution as an "unsung hero" in welfare reform to bringing additional income to low-income families.

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) have been a proven mechanism for supporting low-income families on a path to self-sufficiency by promoting asset-building. Asset-building programs can use a variety of strategies and tools to help create…

This resource reviews the integration of job retention and advancement programs with local workforce development programs. Ten local programs were supportive in creating retention and job advancement initiatives. Evidence from the ten programs…

This article, through the Urban Institute, explores worker characteristics for job retention and advancement and strategies for improving these outcomes for low-income workers. Strategies for increased job stability include financial incentives,…

This brief by the Urban Institute analyzes data from ex-offenders, community residents, and reentry policymakers to summarize the community's role in the reintegration process for released prisoners. The brief concludes with proposed ideas to the…

This article outlines marriage penalties and the effect these penalties can have on low-income families. Despite recent policy reforms, these penalties still remain for mostly low-to-moderate income families. Authors offer suggestions for…

This Brookings Institute Policy brief reviews federal and state initiatives that promote family formation and health marriages. The article tells how to identify effective programs to promote marriage, which benefits the overall wellbeing of…

This bulletin reviews a microenterprise development organization in California. This company provides tax preparation in an effort to build assets for the low-income population through the Earned Income Tax Credit.