Guaranteed Basic Income Program

About Guaranteed Basic Income

Guaranteed basic income (GBI) programs provide unrestricted cash payments directly to vulnerable residents to create greater financial stability for those most in need.  Direct, unrestricted cash payments allow people to make their own choices about how the funds can best be used to meet their needs.

Wealth and income inequality have reached historic highs in the United States. The housing crisis in Somerville and Greater Boston increases this inequality.

• In 2022, 51% of Greater Boston renter households were cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their household income on rent and utilities. This is more than at any point in the previous 17 years, according to the Boston Foundation 2023 Greater Boston Housing Report Card. 
• Approximately 35% of all Somerville renter households spend more than 30% of their income on housing and 16.3% of Somerville renter households spend more than 50% on housing.  
• U.S. Census and other data show that financial and housing instability disproportionately impacts people of color and female-led households. 

Guaranteed Basic Income: A Growing Movement

Mayor Ballantyne joins a coalition of more than 100 mayors across the country as part of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, advocating for local and national guaranteed incomes programs. This growing movement recognizes the role direct cash payments, which allows people to use the funds in the ways that best help them, can play in addressing incoming inequality. 

GBI in Somerville

In spring 2024, Somerville launched a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Pilot Program serving approximately 200 households for one year. Participants have been identified from among the City’s highest-need households facing housing instability, and monthly payments were disbursed starting on July 1, 2024.  This pilot program was developed in partnership with UMass Boston’s Center for Social Policy and the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management.

How It Works

Participant Identification

Participants are proactively identified by two of the City’s frontline social service providers, the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) of Somerville Public Schools and the City’s Office of Housing Stability (OHS). By identifying a pool of participants from residents with current documented needs,  the program can maximize its impact to prevent housing displacement.

Distribution of Funds

Each identified household enrolled in the Somerville Guaranteed Basic Income Program receives $750/month to use for expenses they identify themselves. Unrestricted use of the funding is designed to increase household financial stability, and ultimately housing stability. Payments began July 1, 2024 and will continue for one year.

Measuring Success

This pilot program will be evaluated for its impact, efficacy, and future feasibility in partnership with the UMass Center for Social Policy and the Collins Center. Outcomes will be shared with the public and will inform future advocacy and any potential initiatives.  

Experiencing Financial Hardship?

Somerville offers resources for residents experiencing financial hardship:

Office of Housing Stability - Helps Somerville residents at risk of displacement/eviction access financial assists, find housing, and more.

Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities - Helps residents find low-cost, healthy food in Somerville and connect with a range of food access resources.

Somerville Family Learning Collaborative - Offers a variety of programs and services to support families with children enrolled in Somerville Public Schools, including support services for families experiencing homelessness or housing/food instability.

Questions?

If you are a GBI participant with questions about the program, please contact your enrollment staff member at OHS or SFLC.