Brenda Marie Rivers
A research group led by Abt Associates has received a five-year, $3.6M contract to help the Department of Housing and Urban Development evaluate phase one of a federal housing-choice voucher program for low-income families.
The team will perform research and analysis activities for HUD's $50M Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration effort and conduct a controlled trial to monitor the program’s progress, Abt Associates said Tuesday.
According to the Massachusetts-based consulting firm, HUD seeks to add more voucher holders and transition them to a maximum of 10 higher-opportunity locations across the U.S. as part of the mobility services program.
The Abt Associates-led group will facilitate interviews of voucher-holders, landlords and housing agencies to identify challenges in providing opportunities for voucher applicants.
Mary Joel Holin, division vice president for social and economic policy at Abt Associates, said that HUD and the team intend to help low-income families access neighborhoods that "expand economic opportunities for their children.â€
The team will also provide cost estimates for mobility services ahead of the demonstration’s second phase aimed at testing the program’s effectiveness.
