Long regarded as the premier investigator of policies designed to improve the lives of low-income families on welfare, MDRC is bringing its research skills and reputation for methodological rigor to the new challenge of learning what works best to improve the economic and social health of low-income workers and communities.  more

Increasing Employment and Earnings Among Recipients of Federal Rental Housing Assistance Policymakers are exploring ways for rental subsidy programs to encourage tenants to work and strive for self-sufficiency -- including new rent policies or other financial incentives, better employment services, and work requirements as a condition of getting and keeping housing assistance. Why Has the Poverty Rate Not Fallen Since the Early 1970s? OMB Director Peter Orszag: Using Rigorous Evidence to Drive Policy MDRC Experts Featured at Federal Welfare Research Conference, May 27-29 MDRC Announces Doctoral Fellowship Program for Summer 2009

The Double Bind of Redevelopment Camden During Receivership This working paper gives a broad overview of redevelopment efforts under the first term of state receivership in Camden, New Jersey. It concludes that attempts to build public capacity to revitalize cities may need to be complemented by efforts to build civic capacity, or the ability to solve problems in coordination with major partners. Toward Growth and Equality A Framework for Monitoring Outcomes for Residents and Housing Markets in Camden and the South Jersey Region The Cost of Services and Incentives in the UK Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) Demonstration Preliminary Analysis Findings for the Cleveland Achieve Model Implementation and Early Impacts of an Employer-Based Approach to Encourage Employment Retention Among Low-Wage Workers