Prosperity Now text with a family at a park

From the Editor

Dear friends and partners,

The start of every new year often prompts us to set new goals while reflecting on previous accomplishments.

With your help in 2019, we used our Scorecard to plot a course ahead for families and individuals across the country who are working towards financial freedom. We also facilitated successful exchanges of ideas and perspectives during the 2019 VITACon and I’M HOME conferences, and expanded our work in new directions with the launch of our Health and Wealth network.

During this new decade, we will continue to provide resources and policy advocacy that promote financial stability within families that are searching for economic opportunity. We encourage you to do the same by thinking big, by taking action within your communities, and by continuing to support our networks and campaigns.

This month’s stories will help you do just that with a breakdown of federal policy priorities, new affordable housing measures and an introduction to St. Paul’s fledgling city-wide Children’s Savings Account program. We’re also celebrating the release of our 2020 Scorecard on January 29 which provides a comprehensive data profile of financial well-being in the United States.

As we prepare for a successful year, we ask that you continue to support us as advocates for our mission, and as active members of our community.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Kristin Lawton
Senior Director of Communications

Featured Resource

Coming Home: Providing a Pathway to Housing for All

Are You Ready for New Data on the Financial Health of U.S. Families?

We’re launching the 2020 Prosperity Now Scorecard Data on Wednesday, January 29! This resource is filled with quantifiable information that dissects the factors that produce financial wellbeing—as well as the factors that hinder it.

To help you navigate the data and find ways to make it relevant in your work, we’re hosting a launch webinar from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. EST. Join us as we analyze the financial health of communities across the United States and hear from a select group of experts who will cover highlights from both national and local-level outcome measures including:

Financial Assets & Income
Jobs and Employment
Housing and Homeownership
Healthcare
Education

Register today for the webinar launch of the 2020 Prosperity Now Scorecard.

Our Policy Team Breaks Down Federal Priorities for 2020

The nation's attention will soon be fixed on the upcoming presidential election, and its respective candidates. However, we must not lose sight of policy issues that impact the financial health of low- and moderate-income families. To that end, we are highlighting key policy opportunities and challenges that advocates for working families should keep top of mind in the new year. Read more

New House Bill Would Fund Manufactured Housing Community Preservation

On November 18, 2019, nearly 300 manufactured homeowners, advocates, academics, policymakers, lenders, developers and others convened in Portland, Oregon for the largest Innovations in Manufactured Homes (I’M HOME) Conference to date. Read on for a recap of this year's conference and a preview of what's in store for manufactured housing in 2020. Read more

Saint Paul Marks the Start of the New Decade with a New CSA Program

The city’s brand-new CSA program, CollegeBound Saint Paul, ushers in a new era for the city that supports families in saving for their children’s futures and boasts the ability to help St. Paul’s children get a head start toward college and beyond. Read more

Mark Your Calendar

2020 Prosperity Now Scorecard Data Release Webinar | January 29 | Register

Making Tax Time Work for Everyone: Strengthening Tax Credits for Working Families in 2020 | February 6 | U.S. Capitol Visitor Center | More Info

The 2020 Prosperity Summit | September 30 - October 2, 2020 | Save the Date

Working Together: Portland’s Zoning Ordinance and the Magic of Community Organizing

The 2019 I'M HOME Conference Was a Huge Success!

Coast to Coast: Los Angeles and Miami Pave the Way With Two New CSA Programs

The VITA-Train is Pulling Into the Station!