HudsonUP Basic Income Pilot releases year one report; Fast Company coverage

As the HudsonUP Basic Income Pilot completes year one of its five-year guaranteed income program, JFI today releases a first year’s report by Principal Investigator and Senior Fellow Leah Hamilton. Through interviews and quantitative surveys, the report provides preliminary results on employment and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as many narrative accounts of the initial impacts on improved financial security, greater agency, and stronger relationships.

The HudsonUP program gave 25 low-income Hudson, NY residents $500 per month starting in fall of 2020, in a five-year pilot that represents one of the longest in the country. This year, the program also expanded to include a total of 75 participants. 

Preliminary outcomes at year one include:

• Increased mental and physical health according to standardized reporting measures
• Financial security and improved relationships, ability to provide for kids and pay rent
• Increased employment from 29% to 63%

For an overview of the report, see this two-page report summary, and read the full report here for detailed results and methodology.

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The program was featured in a Fast Company piece by Talib Visram.