Direct Cash for a Better Boston
In partnership with UpTogether, CHV launched a guaranteed income pilot in 2021, selecting fifty families via lottery from the CHV community to receive an unconditional $583 per month. With this two-year pilot program, Camp Harbor View joined a burgeoning national guaranteed income movement.
Pilot programs and studies in more than 100 cities nationally have shown that programs that offer a steady source of income for low-income or historically marginalized communities, with minimal strings attached, led to major leaps in wellbeing and opportunity. A few highlights and impact stories from this pilot:
By the numbers
43%
decrease in psychological distress for families receiving guaranteed income during the two-year program, while it increased by 17% among families not receiving payments.
45%
receiving guaranteed income were able to save for an emergency, compared to 14% of those not receiving payments.
23%
increase in asset building (purchase of a house or car) reported by families in the program, while other families saw an 11% decline.
Hear from the participants
“Education is everything, and I’m so proud of the young man my son is becoming. I’m trying to make sure money doesn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams.”
–Samanda Aguilar, Roslindale
“When I heard about the Guaranteed Income Program I thought it was too good to be true. Receiving $583 each month was a game changer. It all added up to reduced stress, less debt, and more family time for all of us.”
–Sherene Blake, Dorchester
“If we can make programs like this possible for more families, we’ll be able to build generational wealth and a more diverse future for Boston. I’m proud to play a small part in a movement like this.”
–Kenneth Agbonghagbonse, Hyde Park
Growing our impact together
We believe that guaranteed income is an idea whose time has come. We will continue advocating for local, state, and federal programs to expand and build upon the insights gleaned from our programs and dozens of others like it worldwide. In the meantime, we will keep doing everything we can to partner with as many Boston families as we can. In 2024, Camp Harbor View will be launching the second phase of this program. We invite and welcome collaboration from anyone interested in supporting this work. Are you with us?