PROSPERITY NOW

RESEARCH, POLICY, RACIAL WEALTH DIVIDE AND FIELD ENGAGEMENT: THE APPLIED RESEARCH TEAM AT PROSPERITY NOW PRODUCES AND DISSEMINATES THREE KINDS OF RESEARCH: (1) RESEARCH THAT HELPS DEFINE THE CURRENT STATE OF HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL SECURITY IN THE U.S.; (2) RESEARCH THAT DOCUMENTS THE EMERGENCE AND GROWTH OF INNOVATIVE NEW PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND PRODUCTS DESIGNED TO HELP IMPROVE FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR U.S. CONSUMERS, AND; (3) RESEARCH THAT BUILDS THE EVIDENCE BASE ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE STRATEGIES.IN 2015, PROSPERITY NOW LAUNCHED THE RACIAL WEALTH DIVIDE INITIATIVE TO HELP PROSPERITY NOW ADDRESS RACIAL WEALTH INEQUALITY IN A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND TARGETED MANNER. THE POLICY PROGRAM AT PROSPERITY NOW HELPS EDUCATE POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT INNOVATIVE POLICY IDEAS THAT CAN SUPPORT LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING.PROSPERITY NOW'S FIELD ENGAGEMENT TEAM CONNECTS, BUILDS THE CAPACITY OF AND MOBILIZES A BROAD RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE ASSET-BUILDING AND FINANCIAL CAPABILITY FIELDS. THE TEAM MANAGES PROSPERITY NOW'S NATIONAL NETWORKS OF ADVOCATES, PRACTITIONERS, POLICYMAKERS AND OTHERS WORKING TO ENSURE THAT LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES HAVE THE SKILLS, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES TO FUNDAMENTALLY IMPROVE THEIR ECONOMIC POSITION.

SAVINGS, FINANCIAL CAPABILITY, AND AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP: THE SAVINGS AND FINANCIAL CAPABILITY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROGRAM AND PRACTICE INNOVATIONS THAT HELP LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BUILD ASSETS. THE PROGRAM ENSURES ADULTS ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO A RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT SUPPORT FINANCIAL CAPABILITY AND ASSET BUILDING, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS, FINANCIAL COACHING AND COUNSELING, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AND ACCESS TO OTHER FINANCIAL PRODUCTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH, AND POLICY SUPPORT TO THE FIELD OF FINANCIAL CAPABILITY AND ASSET BUILDING PROVIDERS. IT IS ALSO ENSURING THAT LARGE PUBLIC SYSTEMS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING PROGRAMS, AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE INCORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD FINANCIAL CAPABILITY.AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP:TO ENSURE THAT LOW-INCOME AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD WEALTH THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP, THE AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM SEEKS TO (1) PREPARE PEOPLE FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND IDAS, CREDIT REPAIR AND CREDIT BUILDING, AND ADDRESSING PREDATORY LENDING IN COMMUNITIES; (2) INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOMES BY INCREASING AND PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK, INCLUDING QUALITY MANUFACTURED HOUSING, AND LOWERING THE COST OF ENTRY TO HOMEOWNERSHIP (E.G., SHARED EQUITY, INCLUSIONARY ZONING, LAND TRUSTS) AND (3) REDUCE THE RISK OF HOMEOWNERSHIP BY PROMOTING FORECLOSURE PREVENTION TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TOUCH SERVICING, AND EMERGENCY SAVINGS.