Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE) was launched in 2023 by Mayor Justin Wilson.
170
participants
$500
monthly payment
2 Years
duration
$2,040,000
invested in community
| Program Features | |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 170 individuals |
| Amount | $500 |
| Frequency | monthly |
| Program Dates | February 2023-January 2025 |
| Eligibility | City Of Alexandria resident, 18 years or older, at or below 50% of the Area Median Income. |
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE) Provides a monthly cash transfer of $500 to 170 households for 24 months. Participants have access to a coach to assist in setting goals, navigating benefits, and connecting with other community and city resources. Abt Associates is conducting a 30-month, randomized controlled trial evaluation of the pilot, including qualitative interviews with participants and an ethnography of 12 single parent participants. The research design is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of how unconditional cash transfers impact participants’ economic stability and wellbeing and inform future investments to reduce poverty and promote economic security. In addition, ARISE will help surface insights to improve Alexandria’s human services systems.
Pilot concluded in 2025.
$44,797
$38,000
21.2%
20%
37.3%
31%
31.2%
40%
8.5%
8%
STOCKTON
STATE MEDIAN
ARISE
$21,400
Alexandria, VA
$111,955
Annual Household Income (Mean)
$33,841
Sample Size
170
Avg. Age of Respondent
43
Avg. Children in Household
2
Avg. Household Size
3
Male
30%
Female
70%
Other
1%
Married
7%
Single
64%
Partnered/In-Relationship
29%
Yes
55%
No
45%
White
27%
African American
46%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Asian
6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
1%
Latino
0%
Other/Mixed
3%
Hispanic
33%
Non-Hispanic
67%
English
49%
Spanish
28%
Other
24%
The guaranteed income pilot launched during a period of dynamic change and economic challenges for pilot participants. The chart below situates this pilot in the context of unemployment and inflation.
The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income false participants in Alexandria, VA. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.
Spending breakdown
Food and groceries accounted for the largest share of spending, at 40.18%, followed by Retail sales and services (26.76%) and Housing & utilities (12.48%).
