The Importance of Housing Benefits to Success in Leaving Welfare Sheila R. Zedlewski The Urban Institute 2100 M Street NW Washington, D.C April 12, 2002

Housing Assistance and Welfare Families that leave welfare but remain poor tend to retain housing benefits. Families with housing assistance are more disadvantaged than those without it. Despite higher levels of disadvantage, welfare leavers with housing assistance tend to work more. While housing assistance substantially reduces rent, these families still report high levels of economic hardship.

Families That Leave Welfare But Remain Poor Tend to Retain Housing Assistance Source: The Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families, 1999 Families With Cash Income Below Poverty by Welfare Status, 1999

Families with Housing Assistance are Less Likely to Have Immediate Family Supports Live with Spouse/Partner Source: The Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families, 1999 Families With Cash Income Below Poverty by Welfare Status, 1999

Families with Housing Assistance are More Likely to Have Barriers to Work Welfare StayersWelfare Leavers Source: The Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families, 1999 Families With Cash Income Below Poverty by Welfare Status, 1999 *Significant difference at 90% level or higher.

Welfare Leavers with Housing Assistance are More Likely to be Working Current Employment of Welfare Leaver Source: The Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families, 1999 *Significant difference at 90% level or higher.

Families with Housing Assistance Pay Less for Rent Ratio of Rent to Cash Family Income Source: The Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families, 1999 Families With Cash Income Below Poverty by Welfare Status, 1999 *Significant difference at 90% level or higher.

Families with Housing Assistance Experience Less Crowding Note: Crowding defined as more than 2 persons per bedroom. Source: The Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families, 1999 Families With Cash Income Below Poverty by Welfare Status, 1999 *Significant difference at 90% level or higher.

Families with Housing Assistance Report More Food Insecurity With 2+ Food Insecurities Source: The Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families, 1999 Families With Cash Income Below Poverty by Welfare Status, 1999 *Significant difference at 90% level or higher.