Young homeless people in New York City will be given monthly payments of $1,250 in a bid to get them off the streets and into employment, according to a press release from a city-backed study.
The new pilot initiative, partially funded by NYC, will see as many as 40 homeless individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 receive the payments for two years, with no strings attached.
The program, known as the Trust Youth Initiative, will "especially [cater to] Black, Indigenous, Latinx and LGBTQ youth", per the release.
What's more, recipients will be able to choose how they receive the money and will not be given any limitations as to how they spend it. They will able to receive the $1,250 either in incremental payments or upfront in cash.
The idea behind the project is to determine whether providing young homeless people with an income will improve their prospects. Organizers plan to open the project up to "significantly more youth" in the future.
A "rigorous evaluation" will then "compare the outcomes and experiences" of the target group with those who receive smaller sums of cash and access to homeless services.
The release added of the initiative: "The project’s flexible approach aims to improve young people’s stable housing and well-being by providing the means to afford the types of housing they choose and the supports to make investments in their own goals, education, and career development."
Per New York Post, the program will cost $2.5 million - $200,000 of which will be covered by the city, and a further $300,000 will be raised through the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, which is chaired by the first lady of NYC, Chirlane McCray. The remainder will be raised from private donations via trusts and foundations.
"Contrary to common beliefs, studies show that cash transfers to people experiencing adversity do not result in money poorly spent, increased substance use, or reduced motivation to work," the release went on to argue.
It added: "Evaluations have found that recipients mostly spend cash assistance on basic needs, that the financial support has helped people engage in education and productive employment, and that these programs tend to reduce risky behaviors and negative health outcomes."