Assets for Independence Act (AFIA), (passed as title IV of Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998 Pub. L. 105–285 (text) (PDF)), is an American law which provides $125 million over five years to fund Individual Development Accounts (IDA). Individual Development Accounts are matched savings accounts that help low-income people save for a particular goal, such as buying a home, paying for post-secondary education, or starting or expanding a small business.[1]In 2017 no grants were awarded in this act.[2]
History
editAfter seeing the success of IDAs, Congress passed the Assets for Independence Act (AFIA), providing $125 million over five years to fund IDAs.[3] The Assets for Independence Act was passed as part of the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998.[4] The AFI Program is administered by the Office of Community Services, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.[5] There are currently hundreds of IDA programs across the United States. CFED is well known in the field as the expert on Individual Development Accounts, as well as other asset building programs and policies.[6]
References
edit- ^ "FDIC Quarterly - Individual Development Accounts and Banks". Fdic.gov. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
- ^ "Assets for Independence (AFI)". www.acf.hhs.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ^ "Economic Opportunity for All". Archived from the original on 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
- ^ "Assets for Independence Act". www.ilsr.org.
- ^ "About Assets for Independence". Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
- ^ Leaders Gather to Shape Asset-Building Field Ground-breaking Conference Brings Together Bankers Govt. Social Workers to Discuss Wealth Economic Opportunity[dead link]