Guaranteed Income Pilot Project

The Mayors for a Guaranteed Income network defines guaranteed income as “a monthly, cash payment given directly to individuals. It is unconditional, with no strings attached and no work requirements. A guaranteed income is meant to supplement, rather than replace, the existing social safety net and can be a tool for racial and gender equity.”

Through Elevate Boulder, 200 participants will be selected to receive $500 per month in unrestricted assistance, for two years. The city anticipates opening the project application process in August 2023. To be eligible, applicants must:

• Reside in the City of Boulder;

• Be at least 18 years old;

• Have an annual income between 30 – 60% Area Median Income; and

• Have experienced hardship due to COVID-19.

We anticipate receiving a significant number of applications. A randomized lottery process, operated by Impact Charitable, will be used to identify participants.

The city and local organizations will use media, social media, email and text communication and other outreach methods to alert community members when the application process is open.

Based on results from other similar pilot projects and assistance programs, the city anticipates immediate or short-term desired outcomes for project participants including:

• Increased ability to meet basic needs (housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare)

• Decreased debt (paying down/eliminating) or reduction in taking on additional debt

• Decreased stress, worry, anxiety, etc. over immediate expenses

• Dignified experience with pilot project process

Longer-term, participants may also experience:

• Improved financial stability (i.e., increased ability to withstand financial hardship and crisis)

• Increased savings

• Reduced food insecurity

• Improved mental well-being

• Improved feelings of self-determination

More than 20 U.S. cities have already implemented direct cash assistance pilots and have experienced a wide range of benefits to community members receiving funds. In 2019, the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) became the first mayor-led guaranteed income project. 125 low-income residents received $500/month for two years, with no strings attached. Outcomes experienced by SEED project participants included increased full-time employment, increased financial stability, less depression and anxiety, and improved health and wellness.

The Center for Guaranteed Income Research is working with at least 10 pilot cities to assess benefits such as enhanced maternal and child development, improved racial and gender equity, reduced income gaps, enriched family relationships and more effective youth goal setting.

This approach also has benefits for the entire community, including better understanding the challenges faced by people experiencing low-income, fostering a sense of acceptance and belonging, and building trust among government, nonprofits and groups working to solve economic inequities.

• Establish a Community Task Force to provide input to city staff and the project consultant on key project design elements (Dec 2022 – Jan 2023)

• Present pilot project design details to city council (Mar 2023)

• Identify potential investment partners, research partners, legal partners and other professional experts (Feb – April 2023)

• Finalize application and, technology platform, evaluation metrics and methods (Spring – Summer 2023)

• Secure partnerships with local organizations to assist with outreach and application process

• Identify investment partners to ensure successful implementation and increase the project impact (Spring – Fall 2023)

• Accept applications; select participants (Summer - Fall 2023)

• Begin payment distribution and evaluation process (Fall 2023)

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Nine community members served on a Community Task Force to provide input and guidance on key pilot project design elements. All members have experience living with low-income in Boulder and/or work with low-income community members and identify with a population that is underrepresented or underserved or experiencing systemic disparities. Task Force members are:

• Silas Atkins

• Shelby Bates

• Nicole Borrelli

• Magali Botello

• Kellie Cuevas

• Sheila Davis

• Indira Kumari

• Ruby Lopez

• Rinchen Indya Love

Task Force members met through April 2023 to advise on issues such as project outcomes; eligibility criteria; the amount, frequency and duration of cash assistance. Some members have also offered assistance for tasks such as outreach, testing the draft application, and providing input on evaluation processes.