Brief Thriving Residents, Thriving Cities: Family Financial Security Matters for Cities
Signe-Mary McKernan, Caroline Ratcliffe, Breno Braga, Emma Cancian Kalish
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The economic health of cities and communities depends on the financial health and stability of their residents. The key: nonretirement savings. Families with a savings cushion as little as $250 to $749 are less likely to be evicted, miss a housing or utility payment, or receive public benefits after a job loss, health issue, or large income drop. Higher savings levels are associated with even lower hardship and benefit receipt. Savings are at least as important as income: low-income families with savings of $2,000 to $4,999 are more financially resilient than middle-income families without savings.
Research Areas Education Wealth and financial well-being Neighborhoods, cities, and metros Families
Tags Asset and debts Economic well-being Financial knowledge and capability Single-family finance Volatility Finance