Lending Industry | Asset Building | Inequality | Medical Debt | Race & Debt | Debt | Retirement Security | Housing Market | Young Adult Economic Issues | Middle Class | Prosperity & Opportunity | Work Supports | Home Loans and the Mortgage Meltdown | Credit Card Debt | Poverty | Fiscal High Road | Regulation

The Economic Opportunity Program addresses the economic insecurity and inequality that characterize American society today. We offer fresh analysis and bold policy ideas to provide new opportunities for low-income individuals, young adults and financially-strapped families to achieve economic security.

Recent and ongoing work includes:

• Examining vulnerabilities and strengths of the existing middle class and publishing a biennial index to monitor its stability, starting with the first report, By a Thread: The New Experience of America's Middle Class. Future research will examine the race, age and income demographics of today's middle class.

• Conducting comprehensive research on the growth of credit card debt and its effect on families' ability to save and build assets, and working to put the issue front-and-center in the public debate and on the national legislative agenda.

• Identifying the economic challenges facing young adults and creating a broad policy agenda to reform student financial aid, develop career ladder and employment opportunities, promote asset-building, and address other related issues.

• Working with federal and state policy makers and advocates to advance a legislative strategy that will strengthen and grow today's middle class and make it accessible, stable and diverse in the future.