Cities could save millions of dollars by preventing evictions

New York

WE know government can save money by funding services for poor patients so they don't end up in the emergency room, where health care is more expensive.

New research suggests a surprising area where a similar cost-cutting strategy could work: household finance. For instance, nearly two-thirds of New York's 3.1 million households have fewer than US$2,000 in liquid savings, according to researchby the Urban Institute.