Articles and analysis on today's issues

Federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could cause some DC-area families to lose an average of $187 in monthly benefits.
How States Can Narrow the Latina Benefit and Wage Gap State governments can improve job quality among Latina workers by expanding access to health care, retirement plans, and child care.Understanding Local Opportunities for Upward Mobility Requires Pairing Data with Community Engagement Urban’s Mobility Metrics can help local policymakers identify barriers to mobility from poverty in their communities and develop solutions.A New Federal Proposal to Collect Data on College Students’ Parenting Status Can Build on Emerging Best Practice Parenting students are strong students but complete degrees at lower rates than nonparenting peers. Additional data collection can help colleges and other education stakeholders close equity gaps.First-Generation Homebuyers Face Significant Obstacles to Homeownership. To Help, Programs Can Define What “First-Generation” Means. Thousands of down payment assistance programs already exist for prospective homebuyers, but programs targeted toward first-generation homebuyers could help households without intergenerational wealth.With AI and Automated Systems Rapidly Developing, a Focus on Equity Can Maximize Benefits for All With new federal guidance around the development, assessment, and implementation of AI and automated systems, it’s crucial for researchers, policymakers, and the private sector to collaborate and build evidence to equitably distribute the benefits and harms associated with AI.Oregon Expanded Its Housing Options. How Can Other States Follow Suit? Using state preemption and by building a broad coalition of support, Oregon expanded the types of housing developers can build across the state.