Work Advantage invests in homeless families and individuals who work full or part-time by giving them the rent support they need to move towards independence. It provides a strong motivation to work while moving households from shelter and back into the community. The Work Advantage program includes many components to help clients prepare for a successful transition when the subsidy ends.

Work Advantage rewards work and provides incentives to increase earnings as continued eligibility is not tied to Public Assistance status. Tenants should save a portion of their earnings in a bank account during this program. DHS will match savings up to an average of $250 per month or $3,000 per year. DHS also will rebate the $50 monthly rent contributions to the tenant when they end the Work Advantage program.

Clients will have access to aftercare services through the Homebase program including help with upgrading jobs, household budgeting, tenancy and legal services.

Other services, such as training, job search, and job retention are available through the Human Resources Administration. Financial education and access to bank accounts, tax credits and help with saving and making their money grow for the future will be accessible through the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment.