What does it cost to run a “high-touch” IDA program? At CAPTC, a participant-month of IDA services cost about $61 (not counting matches). Given net monthly IDA savings of $20 per participant, $1 of net IDA savings cost $3. While this does not rule out “high-touch”, targeted, time-limited, community-based programs with state, local, or private funding, it seems likely that a universal, permanent IDA policy would require a high-tech, “low-touch” design run by lowcost asset managers with federal funding.
Project: American Dream Policy Demonstration (ADD)
Citation
Schreiner, M. (2005). What does an IDA cost? Some measures from ADD (CSD Research Report No. 05-38). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.