Reports released this year show the success of Rise Up Cambridge, a $22 million initiative providing a new approach to address income inequality and help alleviate family poverty with the goal of allowing the City of Cambridge to support financially struggling families in the community. The City program, federally funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, was a continuation of a previous successful pilot program funded by a consortium of philanthropic organizations.
Controlled trial research studies from the Penn School of Social Practice as well as other institutions on the pilot program run by the City of Cambridge and several project partners showed that the initial program Cambridge RISE Guaranteed Income Pilot (April 2021 through February 2023) assisted in increasing the employment rate, improving financial health, improving housing security, and allowing families to provide more parental support to their children. The City of Cambridge program provided $500 per month per family for a period of 18 months, enabling eligible families in the community to build financial security, access educational opportunities, and improve health. Qualifying households had children 21 years of age or younger and incomes 250% below the Federal Poverty Level. Rise Up Cambridge was one of the first guaranteed basic income programs of its type in Massachusetts.
Guaranteed basics income programs provide simple, straightforward support with flexibility for how residents choose to use it to meet their basic needs. Lend A Hand Society is proud to continue to assist families and individuals with basic critical needs through donor support during a time of rising housing costs so all families can thrive. To help families in our community, make a donation to Lend A Hand Society today.