A Nonpartisan Economic and Social Policy Research Organization

education policy is a focus of the Urban Institute

The numbers of homeless vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan aren't big yet, but there are troubling indicators.
—Mary Cunningham in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 13

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The Urban Institute

GATHERS data,

CONDUCTS research,

EVALUATES programs,

OFFERS technical ASSISTANCE overseas, and

EDUCATES Americans on social and economic issues

— to foster sound public policy and effective government.

May 14, 2009

Fixing Social Security

The Social Security trustees' annual report, released this week, has reignited concerns about the program's precarious finances. A new commentary presents lessons learned from past, failed attempts. We also summarize options for reform and present estimates of their distributional effects in Revitalizing Social Security.

Securing Social Security: Lessons for the Next Debate
How Could We Revitalize Social Security?

"Contact Your Doctor": Bad Advice?

Immediate concerns over swine flu may be waning, but public health and government officials continue their fight against the illness. Their advice to the public takes for granted that a core defense is a well-functioning
health care system. Read More

Opportunities for Visiting Fellows

The Urban Institute invites distinguished scholars, journalists, and senior policy practitioners to join us as Visiting Fellow for a semester or more. Fellows may participate in ongoing research projects, collaborate in the development of new research, learn from and advise on UI work while pursuing independent projects, or play other roles of mutual interest. Read more

Mary Cunningham, author of “Preventing and Ending Homelessness—Next Steps,” answers five questions about how to combat homelessness. Evidence-based approaches have cut homelessness among chronically homeless single adults and new strategies are now being adopted to help homeless families. Investing in proven strategies is crucial as the economic crisis puts more people at risk of ending up in shelters and threatens to reverse the progress communities have made toward ending and preventing homelessness.

Read the interview

recent interviews:
|| John Holahan || Wayne Vroman || Jeffrey Rohaly ||
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Disabilities Among TANF Recipients: Evidence from the NHIS (Research Report)
Pamela J. Loprest, Elaine Maag May 14, 2009

State of Washington, D.C.'s Neighborhoods (Research Report)
Peter A. Tatian, G. Thomas Kingsley, Margery Austin Turner, Jennifer Comey, Randy Rosso May 14, 2009

Older Workers on the Move: Recareering in Later Life (Research Report)
Richard W. Johnson, Janette Kawachi, Eric Lewis May 14, 2009

How Is the Financial Crisis Affecting Retirement Savings? (Fact Sheet / Data at a Glance)
Mauricio Soto May 14, 2009

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Get up to speed on the key issues facing the nation and the new administration.

ten centers focus on critical research areas

Public Housing
and the
Legacy of Segregation

Margery Austin Turner, Susan J. Popkin, and Lynette Rawlings

more titles from UI Press

Policy Jargon Decoder
Fact Sheets: data at a glance
Issues in Focus: facts and findings on key issues
Data Methods
UI Databases: justice and charitable statistics, transfer income model, family data and more