Family and Financial Well-Being
Summary
Taking on debt can allow young adults to navigate new careers and educational opportunities, but high debt burdens risk limiting young people’s current and future financial prospects.
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Our Impact
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Our work impacts how programs are designed to best improve people’s lives. For example, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously approved a bill establishing baby bonds for children in families with low incomes, influenced by Urban research and testimony. The wealth-building program will create trust funds for these children with up to $1,000 contributions each year. The funds will accrue annually until the children reach age 18, when they can access the funds to pay for education, start a business, buy property, or invest in retirement. “This legislation has a critical racial equity impact, given that the median wealth of a white household in the District is 81 times that of a Black household.”