Considering the volume of important public policy decisions made at state and local levels, there can be a dearth of data to create evidence-informed policies. The Brookings Institution will host a forum on January 31, 2019 at its Washington, D.C. office from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon ET to address this topic and explore how to increase evidence-based practice and push for improved state public policies. In particular, the forum will draw on three new papers about making better use of data in policy implementation and housing and transportation services.

On January 30, 2019, the Urban Institute will host a discussion seminar at its Washington, D.C. office from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET that highlights findings from its new report on obstacles that low-income, minority, and millennial citizens face when trying to buy a home. The stability and asset-building that buying a home can provide may be challenging to reach for these segments of the population, but the report will illuminate solutions such as down payment assistance. Also highlighted will be current issues in the home ownership landscape and implications for homebuyers.