Prosperity Report 2020

Move to PROSPER (MTP) was created to demonstrate the economic and social impact on single female-headed families when they have the ability to choose to live in safe, higher resourced communities. MTP families are all single mothers with children ages 13 and under. National research has shown the positive educational and economic impact on children, and the positive impact on the physical and mental health of children and adults when they have this opportunity to move.

The MTP team wants to see if by adding a life coaching model to a housing mobility program, we could have further positive impacts on children and women. These working families can be stable additions to rental communities throughout the region. We seek to demonstrate to owners of rental property in the region, that with the support of a program such as MTP, they can open their doors to families to whom they otherwise do not rent, thus expanding economic impact in our region.

After 16 months of residing in their new homes with limited rental support and participation in life coaching and other programs, we are excited about the findings in this Second Interim Program Evaluation. By making housing opportunities accessible to lower-wage earners, together with a new system of support for those without a safety net and social support, we are changing lives. Change takes time and we are now beginning to see it. Our next steps are to complete the three year pilot and launch a Demonstration Project for 100 families.

KEY FINDINGS

- Change starts by eliminating chronic stress

- Children benefit greatly from reduction in stress and living in better resourced and more supportive educational environments

- Economic improvements require time, with exponential improvements in the past 6 months

- Strong relationships anchor the program

- Improvements include new jobs on career tracks or promotions; improved credit scores; reduction of debt and increased savings

- Housing interventions are health and educational interventions

- Flexible program design is important