FOREWORD

The contents of this report are the views of the contractors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or the U.S. Government.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is committed to helping public housing residents achieve self-sufficiency and end their dependence on need-based assistance. The Gateway Program of Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of HUD's self-sufficiency demonstration programs.

The Gateway Program, authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, Section 126, was designed for Charlotte Housing Authority tenants who want to move out of public housing in 5 to 7 years. Participants attended educational programs and worked, while their rent and benefits remained at a fixed amount. Gateway escrow savings accounts were established so that participants could save for the down payment for a home or for the security deposit needed to move into the private rental market.

The Interim Report to Congress: Public Housing Comprehensive Transition Demonstration, published in 1991, provided preliminary findings for the first 2 years of the Charlotte Gateway program. Gateway Housing Program: Report to Congress, evaluates the Gateway program for the 6-year period, 1989-95. In addition to summarizing findings regarding participants of the program, the Gateway report outlines many of the challenges in administering self-sufficiency programs. It emphasizes the need for more flexible requirements for participants, the importance of case management, and the difficulties tenants face when working to improve their lives.

Since the Gateway program began, HUD has administered other self-sufficiency programs. In 1990, Congress authorized the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, designed to help families living in assisted housing achieve economic independence. HOPE IV, authorized by Congress in 1993, is HUD's effort to revitalize the most distressed public housing developments through flexible funding for buildings and community empowerment services. In March 1997, the Jobs-Plus initiative began through a partnership with HUD, The Rockefeller Foundation, Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, and the Surdna Foundation. This demonstration program is aimed at substantially increasing the employment rates of urban public housing residents.

Gateway Housing Program: Report to Congress has provided information that will be useful in the administration of the Department's current self-sufficiency programs. The Gateway program and other self-sufficiency programs are part of the Department's continuing effort to empower individuals and to improve the lives of families through the promotion of housing choice and economic opportunity.

Michael A. Stegman
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research