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Welfare-to-Work Voucher Program

A Good Idea

Description

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiated the Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Voucher Program in 2000 to increase the incentive and resources for families to become more self-sufficient. Specifically, the vouchers target families that have a critical need for housing in order to obtain or retain viable employment. To qualify to participate in the voucher program, PHAs are required to develop their plans in partnership with welfare and workforce development agencies to ensure the housing assistance is combined with job training, child care, and other services families need to make the successful transition from welfare to economic independence. Participating families must meet eligibility requirements for the regular Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and must be eligible to receive TANF assistance, be currently receiving TANF, or have received TANF within the past two years.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to address the lack of stable, affordable housing available to families attempting to transition from welfare to self-sufficiency.

Results / Accomplishments

HUD awarded approximately 50,000 additional housing choice vouchers to local public housing authorities (PHAs) nationwide through the WtW Program. HUD is conducting a long-term study mandated by Congress to evaluate the success of the WtW program in helping families obtain and retain employment. Eight PHAs are participating in the study.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Primary Contact
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-1112
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/wtw/ov...
Topics
Economy / Government Assistance
Economy / Employment
Economy / Housing & Homes
Organization(s)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Source
Finance Project
Date of publication
Jun 2003
Location
USA
Kansas Health Matters