The Assets Agenda Policy Options To Promote Savings And Asset Ownership By Low- And Moderate-Income Americans, By Alejandra Lopez-Fernandini, Reid Cramer, Rourke O’Brien, New America Foundation
June 30, 2008.

“The agenda we present here includes calls for new structures and policies at the federal level, as well as changes to existing tax systems, government programs, and financial products. The current economic downturn, triggered in part by excessive household debt and deflating housing prices, underscores the central role asset ownership plays in the economic security of American families and the broader economy. Broad asset ownership, whether through savings or investment, has the potential to connect economic opportunity with economic security and ensure that every member of society is afforded a real stake in the commonwealth. Assets are important not only because they can be deployed productively or tapped to help individuals and families weather unexpected events, but because they have behavioral effects that can change the manner in which people think about and plan for the future…The purpose of this report is to outline a federal public policy agenda to broaden savings and asset ownership opportunities for lower-income Americans who have limited resources at their disposal..This edition of New America’s Assets Agenda is the most comprehensive to date, with 84 innovative asset-building ideas.”