US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Interest in work and self-sufficiency among welfare recipients was heightened among government officials, social service providers, academics, and the general public when Congress enacted the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PWRORA), which changed the focus of the welfare system from income support to work. One agency affected by welfare reform is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The transformation of the welfare system presented HUD with an important opportunity to conduct a preliminary assessment of its programs. As a result, HUD contracted with ICF Consulting and the Lewin Group to review the employment and training components of 13 HUD programs. This study assessed HUD's efforts to help residents transition from welfare to work. The study focuses on the following questions: What are the specific service components of HUD employment and training programs? To what extent are the practices consistent with the research on the effectiveness of those service approaches? What is the nature of the linkages between the HUD programs and the programs being provided through the larger human services and employment and training systems in the community?

"Throughout the engagement, Lewin consultants listened to us and delivered superb analyses and thoughtful guidance–not canned solutions."  NONPROFIT HEALTH SYSTEM