HIGHLIGHTS
- Alameda, Calif., launched a two-year guaranteed income pilot, Rise Up Alameda, to help reduce economic instability for participants, and to change the policy conversation about poverty.
- Abt will use survey research to evaluate the program.
- Results will be available in 2026.
PROJECT
Guaranteed Income Research & Evaluation
The Challenge
Rising income inequality and inflation have left many residents of Alameda, Calif., struggling financially. To demonstrate the effects of unrestricted cash benefits for low-income residents, the city of Alameda launched a pilot to provide select residents who earn less than 50 percent of the area median income with a guaranteed income. The project, Rise Up Alameda, will provide 150 residents with $1,000 a month for two years.
The Approach
Abt will use survey methods to evaluate Rise up Alameda: participants were selected at random. Abt will periodically survey participants and a control group (comprised of applicants) until six months after payments stop.
