Multidisciplinary Research Team

The objective of this study is to gather information about the implementation of work requirement policies in the public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The study will culminate in a final report that documents data gathered from four sources: 1) a literature review focusing on work requirement policies in public benefit programs, including assisted housing, 2) a series of interviews with a range of industry and advocacy groups to gather their perspectives on work requirement policies in HUD-funded assisted housing, 3) structured interviews with the nine public housing agencies (PHAs) that have implemented a work requirement policy under their Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration authority, and 4) analysis of HUD administrative data. A final report is expected in Spring 2022.

The purpose of this research is to identify the barriers faced by HUD-assisted households in accessing workforce funded job training and job search services supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, and to recommend strategies to improve access to employment services for households that want to work. HUD seeks to collaborate with the Department of Labor to improve access to job training and job search services for HUD-assisted tenants as well as households that are homeless or unstably housed. Potential work products expected from this study include: 1) a background report including two parts. First, a catalog of DOL-funded workforce development programs/services that target very low-income populations, homeless and unstably housed populations, and populations with special needs. Second, a literature review of what works for job training programs for clients who need similar services, and families similar in socioeconomic characteristics to PEH and to those assisted by HUD, 2) an analysis using quantitative and qualitative methods of the mismatch between DOL's workforce readiness development and training programs and services and the needs of PEH and HUD's assisted households who are work-able (i.e., non-elderly, non-disabled adults), 3) an analysis of the potential paths for solutions - an assessment of whether the gaps can be filled through reallocation and redesign of existing program regulations, or whether new authority and funding is required, and 4) concept Memo with ideas for joint DOL/HUD pilots, ideas for legislative changes especially related to reauthorization of WIOA, and ideas for changes to funding formulas used to disperse workforce development funds to states and from states to WDBs. A final report is expected in Spring 2022.