The document discusses asset building strategies to help low-income households build wealth. It defines asset building as long-term saving and investment to increase economic independence. Research shows that assets provide stability during hard times and encourage future orientation. While income measures getting by, assets measure getting ahead. Many low-income households want to save but lack opportunities. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) match savings for goals like education, homes, or businesses. The Assets for Independence program also uses IDAs. However, the funding challenge is getting non-federal matching commitments. Employer-based IDAs could help more working poor individuals by providing savings incentives and financial education at work. Case studies show examples of employers doubling scholarships or assistance for home

1. ASSET BUILDING

2. Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and a “hard
work” ethic are the hallmarks of America’s definition of
success. To achieve success and the economic
mobility of the American Dream, however, requires not
only the ability to generate income, but also the ability
to translate such income into assets. While income
may measure whether or not a person has enough to
get by, assets measure whether or not a person has
enough to get ahead.
An Assets Agenda for the States
New America Foundation

3. Asset-Building
Asset building refers to engaging in longterm saving and investment behavior as a
means to building household wealth and
increasing economic independence.
Asset building strategies empower
individuals to make economic choices that
provide long-term benefits for themselves,
their families and their communities.

4. Theory and Research Underlying
Asset Building Strategy
• Assets not only help households sustain themselves during
difficult economic times, they also orient people to the future
and provide a stake in society.
• As more low-income households have a stake in society,
families and neighborhoods stabilize and economic opportunity
and the economy expand.
• Low-income households want to and can save and, while
saving generally rises with income, they may actually save at a
higher rate (as a percentage of income) than higher-income
households.
• Evidence suggests that, while providing household stability and
expanding educational and entrepreneurial opportunity, asset
building also can:
• Decrease economic strain, marital dissolution, and risk of
intergenerational poverty;
• Increase property values, property maintenance, health and
satisfaction, and local civic involvement.

5. The Asset Gap
Asset poverty rates and wealth gaps are worse than
income poverty and distribution
• Racial disparities in asset ownership are widest
• 14% of all households and 24% of minority households live in
extreme asset poverty – meaning that they have zero or negative
net worth
• Helping people build assets has been a long-standing policy of the
U.S. government. Many opportunities to build assets exist, such as
the Homestead Act, the GI Bill, and the home mortgage interest
deduction. Unfortunately, low-income families do not benefit as
much from these policies because many of these incentives are
delivered through the tax code.

6. Individual Development Accounts
• Individual Development Accounts(IDAs) are special
savings accounts that match the deposits of low- and
moderate-income people.
• For every dollar saved in an IDA, savers receive a
corresponding match which serves as both a reward and
an incentive to further the saving habit.
• Savers agree to use their savings for an asset-building
purpose – typically for post-secondary education or job
training, home purchase, or to capitalize a small business.

7. and more...
IDA programs also include case management,
asset-specific training, and financial education.

8. Assets for Independence (AFI)
Federal program authorized in 1998 that provides five-year
AFI grants that enable participants to use IDAs to acquire a
first home, capitalize a small business, and pursue
postsecondary education and training.
• AFI projects open nearly 1,000 new accounts each month
• Through FY 2010, participants in regular AFI projects had
opened a total of 68,421 IDAs.
• In the 68,421 IDAs opened in regular projects through FY
2010, account holders deposited a total of $64,665,564 in
earned income, or an average of $945 per account holder.
• 12,167 purchased a home; 8,738 financed a business; 10,986
financed education and/or training
• Participants had used $136.4 million to purchase long-term
economic assets, which includes the value of their own IDA
savings ($41.3 million) and matching funds ($95.1 million)
11th Annual report to Congress (2010)
Assets for Independence Program

9. Income Eligibility
• TANF-eligible in their
state
Persons in
Family*
1
OR
• Meet both of the
following two criteria
• Income: twice the poverty
guidelines OR EITC
eligible
AND
• Net worth: maximum
$10,000 (less one
residence/one vehicle)
2
3
4
5
6
Single
Adult
$22,980
Married
Couple
--
$37,870
$31,020
$43,038
$43,210
$47,100
$48,378
$55,140
$55,140
$63,180
$63,180
For a family with more than 6
members, add $8,040 for each
additional person.
* Depends on number of qualifying children
based on IRS guidelines

10. The Funding Challenge
• Must have firm commitments of cash support from nonfederal
sources.
• The commitments must be equal to or greater than the Federal
grant amount requested.

11. Employer IDA Initiatives
• Employer IDA initiatives hold tremendous potential for reaching
millions of working poor individuals.
• Employers are attractive delivery channels for a number of reasons
including their:
• Access to low-income workers;
• Existing benefits systems;
• Effective outreach and communications venues; and
• Ability to provide matching funds.
• Benefits to employers include:
• Lowered absenteeism and improved employee retention;
• Increased recruitment of lower-income employees;
• Improved workplace productivity;
• Additional skills and improved career opportunities, particularly if the IDAs
are used for educational purposes; and
• Psychological benefits, such as improved expectations about the future and
a more positive outlook of the workplace.

12. Case Study 1
• Encourages low-wage employees to take advantage of
existing programs by increasing benefit available:
• Employer Assisted Housing Program ($5,000 + $2,000 Federal
match + $500 personal savings = $7,500)
• Scholars and Career Assistance Program ($3,000 + $2,000 Federal
match + $500 personal savings = $5,500)
• Corresponds with company’s goal of growing its own
employees, encouraging frontline staff to retrain for new
fields that often come with better pay and more
advancement opportunities.

13. Case Study 2
• Doubles investment of company foundation in carrying out
its efforts to provide educational opportunities, including
scholarships and education resources, for employees
($2,000 scholarship + $2,000 Federal match + $500
personal savings = $4,500)
• Adds a new tool to a suite of employee programs focused
on asset-building, including free tax preparation services.

14. What’s Unique?
• Approached by
employers
• 100 estimated
participants per
employer
• Multiple sites, multiple
shifts
• Geographic spread
(One employer has 79
facilities in 5 states)