This report is from the Urban Institute and is part of a series on asset building and the low-income population. In this report, authors provide an overview of 20 current research studies on the assets and liabilities of low-income households. By synthesizing the data, researchers offer a picture of the balance sheet for low-income families and conclude with suggestions for future research on this topic.

From the Urban Institute, this report is part of a series on the importance of asset building for low-income families. Specifically, authors identify the most reliable data sources for conducting research on the low-income population and asset holdings. Additionally, this resource provides an overview on how sources can be improved to best understand data on assets.

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 asset wealth for low-income people. This research brief, from the National Human Services Assembly, provides the latest research on IDAs and how effective these programs are for serving families and strengthening communities.

The University of Missouri Extension requested the assistance of the Welfare Peer TA Network to plan and conduct a 2-day statewide Roundtable on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)/Child Tax Credit (CTC) and strategies to help eligible current and former TANF participants and low-income families apply for the credits. The principal goal of the Roundtable was to build and enhance partnerships statewide between social services providers, Missouri’s TANF Agency, business leaders, and community and faith-based organizations, with an aim toward helping low wage earning families achieve financial self-sufficiency through the Earned Income Tax Credit

The National Center for Children in Poverty is conducting a project called Making “Work Supports” Work. The project is designed to promote policies to support low-wage workers in the workplace. Employment wages supplemented by government work support policies can help support families, and include the Earned Income Tax Credit, child care subsidies, health insurance, food stamps, and housing assistance. This brief provides an overview of the project, and offers data on how work supports can make a difference for low-income families.

From the Urban Institute, this report is the first in a series on poverty, asset building strategies, and social policy. Researchers review eligibility requirements for TANF, Food Stamps, IDAs, and the EITC on asset holdings for low-educated single mothers and their families.

Jason Furman, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, gave testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means on implementing fair and equitable tax policies for working families. Because America has experienced a large increase in income inequality in recent decades, Furman reviews findings from research at Brookings on tax policies and the effect that tax policy can have on the economy and families in the United States.

The FIELD program is a project through the Aspen Institute to increase awareness and funding for microenterprise for low-income families. While wages are important to economic security, accumulating assets can often help families along the way to self-sufficiency. Microenterprise programs in the United States have offered opportunities to low-income families to build wealth and acquire assets. This guide describes innovative microenterprise programs that support low-income families around the country.

This toolkit on the Earned Income Tax Credit was developed by the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute) at the National League of Cities in 2004, and has since been updated with the latest information on the EITC. The toolkit includes information to help support municipal leaders in maximizing the potential of the EITC in their localities. Specifically based on research and best practices, NLC’s YEF Institute provides ideas for action, examples from cities, advice for local elected officials, and timelines and materials for EITC campaign activities, as well as other issues relating to youth, education and families.

This resource paper is through the Brookings Institution and offers strategies on making markets more affordable for the poor. The author, Matt Fellowes, offers strategies to help reduce the high cost prices in low-income markets such as offering incentives for businesses to enter lower-income markets and investing in tools so low-income consumers can be better informed about financial decisions.