Title page

Contents

Acknowledgments 4

Executive Summary 15

Chapter 1. Introduction 28

Chapter 2. Program Delivery and Implementation Update 45

Chapter 3. Participant Engagement 54

Chapter 4. Escrow Accruals and Graduation 85

Chapter 5. Impacts on Employment and Earnings 106

Chapter 6. Impacts on Income, Subsidy Receipt, and Well-Being 120

Chapter 7. Variation in Program Impacts 137

Chapter 8. Summary and Looking Forward 156

Appendix A 160

Appendix B 168

Appendix C 193

Appendix D 204

Appendix E 209

Appendix F. Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Response Analysis 238

References 259

Exhibits

Exhibit ES.1. Selected Participation and Escrow Outcomes, Years 1 to 3 19

Exhibit ES.2. Impacts on Use of Services, Year 3 21

Exhibit ES.3. Impacts on Employment and Earnings, Years 1 to 3 23

Exhibit ES.4. Impacts on Household Income, Benefit Receipt, Housing Assistance, and Financial Well-Being, Year 3 25

Exhibit 1.1. Core Components of the HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Framework 32

Exhibit 1.2. Simplified Schematic of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program Theory of Change 36

Exhibit 1.3. Data Sources for the Family Self-Sufficiency Study 37

Exhibit 1.4. Public Housing Agencies Participating in the National Family Self-Sufficiency Evaluation 39

Exhibit 1.5. Baseline Characteristics of Households in the Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 40

Exhibit 1.6. Baseline Characteristics of Heads of Households in the Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 42

Exhibit 2.1. Site Engagement Practices 48

Exhibit 3.1. Family Self-Sufficiency and Housing Choice Voucher Program Statuses, Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Service Use and 36-Month Survey Respondent Samples 57

Exhibit 3.2. Contacts Between Family Self-Sufficiency Participants and Case Managers, Year 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Service-Use Sample 60

Exhibit 3.3. Use of Family Self-Sufficiency-Related Services and Recorded Employment During Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Service-Use Sample 62

Exhibit 3.4. Indicators of Timing and Duration of Service Use and Program-Recorded Employment During Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Service-Use Sample 64

Exhibit 3.5. Selected Indicators of Contacts and Service Use During Years 1 to 3, by Self-Reported Employment Status at Random Assignment 66

Exhibit 3.6. Selected Indicators of Contacts and Service Use During Years 1 to 3, by Self-Reported Level of Educational Attainment at the Time of Random Assignment 67

Exhibit 3.7. Indicators of Contacts and Family Self-Sufficiency Service Use in Year 3, by Housing Authority, Family Self-Sufficiency Service-Use Sample 70

Exhibit 3.8. Use of Family Self-Sufficiency Services and Recorded Employment During Years 1 to 3 Among Housing Authorities with Similar Levels of Emphasis on Monitoring and Engagement,... 72

Exhibit 3.9. Use of Services During Years 1 to 3, by Program Emphasis on Service Type 73

Exhibit 3.10. Indicators of Engagement with the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, by Current Enrollment Status, Family Self-Sufficiency Group Members in the 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 74

Exhibit 3.11. Impacts on Use of Services and Employment, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 78

Exhibit 3.12. Impacts on Use of Services During Years 1 to 3, by Program Emphasis on Job Search and Post-Employment Services 81

Exhibit 3.13. Impacts on Use of Services During Years 1 to 3, by Program Emphasis on Education and Training 82

Exhibit 3.14. Impacts on Use of Services During Years 1 to 3, by Program Emphasis on Financial Services 83

Exhibit 4.1. Monthly Indicators of Positive Escrow Balance and Credit Accrual, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 88

Exhibit 4.2. Accrual and Disbursement of Family Self-Sufficiency Escrow Credits in Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 90

Exhibit 4.3. Indicators of Family Self-Sufficiency Escrow Account Accrual in Months 1 to 36 for Selected Subgroups 93

Exhibit 4.4. Indicators of Escrow Credits Accrual in Months 1 to 36 by Housing Authority, Family Self-Sufficiency Service-Use Sample 95

Exhibit 4.5. Baseline Characteristics of the Family Self-Sufficiency Group, by Housing Choice Voucher and Family Self-Sufficiency Program and Escrow Accrual Statuses 97

Exhibit 4.6. Selected Indicators of Contacts and Service Use During Years 1 to 3, by Housing Choice Voucher and Family Self-Sufficiency Enrollment Status and Escrow Balance 102

Exhibit 4.7. Change in Reported Annual Head-of-Household Earnings and Total Household Earnings During Years 1 to 3, by Housing Choice Voucher and Family Self-Sufficiency Enrollment Status and... 104

Exhibit 5.1. How to Read the Impact Tables in This Report 108

Exhibit 5.2. Quarterly Employment Rate Among Control Group Members, by Self-Reported Employment Status at Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 110

Exhibit 5.3. Average Quarterly Earnings Among Control Group Members, by Self-Reported Employment Status at Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 111

Exhibit 5.4. Impacts on Employment and Earnings, Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 113

Exhibit 5.5. Strategies to Support Participants' Work Efforts: Family Self-Sufficiency Program Staff Members' Reflections 114

Exhibit 5.6. Impacts on Employment in the 12 Months Prior to Interview, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 115

Exhibit 5.7. Impacts on Current Employment and Job Characteristics, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 117

Exhibit 6.1. Impacts on Household Income and Income Sources, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 122

Exhibit 6.2. Impacts on Material Hardship and Food Insufficiency, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 125

Exhibit 6.3. Impacts on Use of Financial Services, Savings, and Debt, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 128

Exhibit 6.4. Impacts on Financial Strain, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 130

Exhibit 6.5. Impacts on Shelter Costs and Housing Subsidies, Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 133

Exhibit 6.6. Impacts on Housing, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 135

Exhibit 7.1A. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Employment Status at Random Assignment 140

Exhibit 7.1B. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Educational Attainment atRandom Assignment 141

Exhibit 7.1C. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Total Household Income atRandom Assignment 142

Exhibit 7.1D. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Disability Status at Random Assignment 143

Exhibit 7.1E. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Percentage of Rent and Utilities ExpensesPaid by Household at Random Assignment 144

Exhibit 7.2. Program Clusters: Data and Definitions 147

Exhibit 7.3A. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Program Emphasis on Job Search andPost-Employment Services 148

Exhibit 7.3B. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Program Emphasis on Educationand Training 149

Exhibit 7.3C. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Program Emphasis on Financial Services 150

Exhibit 7.3D. Impacts on Selected Outcomes, by Program Emphasis on Monitoringand Engagement 151

Appendix Exhibits

Appendix Exhibit A.1. Baseline Characteristics of Households in the Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample by Research Group 160

Appendix Exhibit A.2. Baseline Characteristics of Heads of Households in the Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample by Research Group 162

Appendix Exhibit A.3. Staffing, Escrow, and Graduation Policies 165

Appendix Exhibit B.1. Use of Family Self-Sufficiency Services (Detailed) and Recorded Employment During Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Service-Use Sample 168

Appendix Exhibit B.2. Selected Indicators of Contacts and Service Use During Years 1 to 3, by Self-Reported Employment Status at Random Assignment 170

Appendix Exhibit B.3. Composite Score Component Values, by Site, Family Self-Sufficiency Service-Use Sample 171

Appendix Exhibit B.4. Impacts on Use of Services in the 12 Months Prior to Interview by Self-Reported Employment Status at the Time of Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey... 172

Appendix Exhibit B.5. Impacts on Education and Training, by Self-Reported Employment Status at the Time of Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 174

Appendix Exhibit B.6. Impacts on Use of Services in the 12 Months Prior to Interview by Self-Reported Level of Educational Attainment at the Time of Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency... 175

Appendix Exhibit B.7. Impacts on Education and Training, by Self-Reported Level of Education Attainment at the Time of Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 177

Appendix Exhibit B.8. Impacts on Use of Services in the 12 Months Prior to Interview for Housing Authorities with Similar Levels of Emphasis on Monitoring and Engagement, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month... 179

Appendix Exhibit B.9. Impacts on Education and Training for Housing Authorities with Similar Levels of Emphasis on Monitoring and Engagement, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 181

Appendix Exhibit B.10. Impacts on Use of Services in the 12 Months Prior to Interview, by Self-Reported Employment Status at the Time of Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey... 182

Appendix Exhibit B.11. Impacts on Educational Credential Attainment, by Self-Reported Employment Status at the Time of Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 183

Appendix Exhibit B.12. Impacts on Use of Services in the 12 Months Prior to Interview by Program Emphasis on Job Search and Post-Employment Services, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey... 184

Appendix Exhibit B.13. Impacts on Educational Credential Attainment, by Program Emphasis on Job Search and Post-Employment Services, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 186

Appendix Exhibit B.14. Impacts on Use of Services in the 12 Months Prior to Interview by Program Emphasis on Education and Training, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 187

Appendix Exhibit B.15. Impacts on Educational Credential Attainment, by Program Emphasis on Education and Training, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 189

Appendix Exhibit B.16. Impacts on Use of Services in the 12 Months Prior to Interview by Program Emphasis on Financial Services, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 190

Appendix Exhibit B.17. Impacts on Educational Credential Attainment, by Program Emphasis on Financial Services, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 192

Appendix Exhibit C.1. Impacts on Employment and Earnings by Quarter, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 193

Appendix Exhibit C.2. Regression Coefficients for Estimated Impacts on Total Earnings in Quarters 2 to 13, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 198

Appendix Exhibit C.3. Unadjusted and Adjusted Impacts on Employment and Earnings in Quarters 2 to 13, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 201

Appendix Exhibit C.4. Total Earnings in Quarters 2 to 13 by Level of Exclusion for Outlier Values, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 202

Appendix Exhibit C.5. Impacts on Total Earnings in Quarters 2 to 13 by Level of Exclusion for Outlier Values, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 202

Appendix Exhibit C.6. Impacts on Employment and Earnings During Quarters 2 to 13 by Weighting Strategy, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 203

Appendix Exhibit D.1. Differences by Research Group in Estimated Annual Income After 3 Years of Follow-Up, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample Members Currently Enrolled in the Housing Choice... 204

Appendix Exhibit D.2. Differences by Research Group in Estimated Annual Income After 3 Years of Follow-Up, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample Members 207

Appendix Exhibit E.1. Impacts on Selected Employment and Earnings Outcomes in Years 1 to 3, by Selected Baseline Characteristics, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 209

Appendix Exhibit E.2. Characteristics, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 212

Appendix Exhibit E.3. Impacts on Selected Indicators of Rent and Subsidies in Month 36, by Selected Baseline Characteristics, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 219

Appendix Exhibit E.4. Confirmatory Comparisons (Impacts) of Employment and Earnings Outcomes in Years 1 to 3, by Program Approach, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 224

Appendix Exhibit E.5. Impacts on Selected Survey Outcomes by Selected Program Implementation Features, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 226

Appendix Exhibit E.6. Impacts on Selected Indicators of Rent and Subsidies in Month 36, by Selected Program Implementation Features, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 231

Appendix Exhibit E.7. Exploratory Comparisons of Employment and Earnings Outcomes in Years 1 to 3 for Sites with Similar Escrow Accrual and Service Use Outcomes, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 234

Appendix Exhibit E.8. Impacts on Employment and Earnings, Years 1 to 3, by Self-Reported Employment Status at Random Assignment, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 236

Appendix Exhibit E.9. Methodology for Creating Site Clusters 237

Appendix Exhibit F.1. Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Samples and Response Rates 241

Appendix Exhibit F.2. Estimated Regression Coefficients of the Probability of Being a Respondent to the Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample 242

Appendix Exhibit F.3. Baseline Characteristics of Households in the Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample by Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Status 245

Appendix Exhibit F.4. Baseline Characteristics of Heads of Households in the Family Self-Sufficiency Impact Sample by Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Status 247

Appendix Exhibit F.5. Estimated Regression Coefficients of the Probability of Being a Family Self-Sufficiency Group Member, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondents 250

Appendix Exhibit F.6. Baseline Characteristics of Households by Research Group, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 253

Appendix Exhibit F.7. Baseline Characteristics of Heads of Households by Research Group, Family Self-Sufficiency 36-Month Survey Respondent Sample 255

Appendix Exhibit F.8. Comparison of Impacts on Employment and Earnings in Years 1 to 3, Family Self-Sufficiency Impact and 36-Month Survey Respondent Samples 258