Public Housing and the Moving to Work Program

The Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program was created by Congress to give the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) the flexibility to test alternative policies for providing housing assistance through the nation's two largest housing assistance programs: the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and the public housing program. The alternative policies are meant to increase the cost-effectiveness of assisted housing programs, promote the self-sufficiency of assisted families, and increase housing choices for low-income families. This book provides an overview of the history and purpose of the MTW demonstration program, followed by a description of some of the policies adopted by participating PHAs, and policy options for the future.