An Individual Development Account is a targeted matched savings account for low income people to be used specifically for building assets.
Poor people do save even when saving means having less for food, clothing, and housing.
To achieve stability. Because public assistance raises people to the poverty line, without a cushion, many families are only one sickness, accident or divorce away from disaster. By saving, a family can imagine a better future, plan and prepare for that future. This is hope in concrete form. Since the public is investing in IDAs, it deserves some assurance that it will get a just return on its investment.