Researchers evaluating a New York City tax-time savings program find significant effect of participation on savings levels, the presence of savings, the ratio of savings to expenses, and the likelihood of having savings to meet one month’s expenses, particularly for households without children.

Researchers finds that investing in a home yields higher short-term economic returns for low-income households than renting and choosing other forms of investment and consumption.

An analysis reveals that low-income homeowners are more likely than renters to demonstrate engaged parenting behaviors, such as organizing structured activities for their children. The findings have implications for low-income housing policy.