Report: Education Increases Chances of Exiting Rental Assistance

A report by the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC), The Education Boost: Lifting Families Out of Poverty, estimates the value that improvements in education can have on positive exits from rental assistance, describes the barriers low-income individuals face attending college, and investigates the gaps in educational attainment between rent-assisted households and low-income unassisted renters. It found that for every additional year of education obtained by a rent-assisted household head, the family’s chance of a positive exit is 11 percent higher than it would be without any additional education.

The report also shows that the cost of college and other barriers, such as childcare, transportation, connectivity, and peer networks, are still significant hurdles for many low-income families looking to attend college. The report recommends strategies to help rent-assisted households enroll in educational programs, such as childcare support, assistance with transportation costs, Internet access, mentoring and tutoring support, and college preparatory courses.

Average rent-assisted individuals under 50 may need up to 29 years to obtain a college degree if financing college out of pocket. The report suggests that external resources will be needed to help low-income families receiving rental assistance pay for college and matriculate in a reasonable amount of time.