Alexandria's Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), VA

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

logo
Program Features  
Number of Participants170 individuals
Amount$500
Frequencymonthly
Program DatesFebruary 2023-January 2025
EligibilityCity Of Alexandria resident, 18 years or older, at or below 50% of the Area Median Income.

About the Alexandria's Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), VA

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.

Data last updated October 1, 2024.

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Demographic Data for Study Participants

Median Annual Household income

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

gender

Male

30%

Female

70%

Other

1%

marital status

Married

7%

Single

64%

Partnered/In-Relationship

29%

children in household

Yes

55%

No

45%

race

White

27%

African American

46%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Asian

6%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

1%

Latino

0%

Other/Mixed

3%

ethnicity

Hispanic

33%

Non-Hispanic

67%

primary language at home

English

49%

Spanish

28%

Other

24%

Economic Context for Pilot Participants

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.

Start of Covid-19 PandemicJan 2019MarMayJulSepNovJan 2020MarMayJulSepNovJan 2021MarMayJulSepNovJan 2022MarMayJulSepNovJan 2023MarMayJulSepNovJan 2024MarMayJulSepNovJan 2025MarMayJulSepNovJan 202602468101214161820Unemployment02468101214161820Inflation
Unemployment  
Inflation  
Pilot Timeline
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Spending Breakdown

The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income 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 41.28%, followed by Retail sales and services (27.19%) and Housing & Utilities (11.23%).

Alma

“Now I just make ends meet. I can purchase necessities when I need them. I don’t have to choose between taking a day off for doctor appointments or paying a bill."

Alma

Alexandria's Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), VA

Alexandria, VA

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