Building generational wealth is a common goal for American families. However, many lower-income families are far from that goal. Too many American families are living in asset poverty: they do not have the financial means to cover three months of basic living expenses without income. Building assets allows for families to not only weather hardship, but also allows them to invest in opportunities such as homeownership that can strengthen their financial future.  
 
One of the largest asset-building programs in the country, Compass Working Capital’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is designed to disincentives to asset building among tenants receiving federal housing assistance.  However, the FSS program currently reaches less than 3 percent of an estimated 2.2 million eligible households nationally. In partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, Compass Working Capital’s Opt-Out FSS pilot seeks to address this low take-up rate by utilizing an opt-out structure. 

In partnership with Compass Working Capital, the Inclusive Economy Lab will analyze the impact of the opt-out approach.