Ithaca Guaranteed Income (IGI)
Ithaca Guaranteed Income (IGI) was launched in 2022 by Mayor Svante Myrick.
110
participants
$450
monthly payment
1 Year
duration
$594,000
invested in community
| Program Features | |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 110 individuals |
| Amount | $450 |
| Frequency | monthly |
| Program Dates | June 2022-May 2023 |
| Eligibility | Primary unpaid caregivers to children and aging or disabled adults that reside in Ithaca and have an income at or below 80% Area Median Income. |
About the Ithaca Guaranteed Income (IGI)
Even before COVID-19, income and wealth inequality were at historic highs and many people who were working multiple jobs couldn’t afford basic necessities. Ithaca Guaranteed Income (IGI) is a research pilot that asks the question: how does a guaranteed income effect the housing stability and overall wellness of our city's care-givers. Cash is the currency of urgency, and guaranteed income works more effectively when it’s direct and unconditional. Research tells us that recipients of direct cash assistance overwhelmingly use money on their basic needs: housing, utilities, food, and unexpected medical expenses or other financial emergencies that can undermine their health and well-being. People can be trusted to make their own financial choices. (Photo credit: Christian Phillips, courtesy of Sasaki)
Pilot concluded in 2023.
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COMMUNITY FEATURES
$44,797
$38,000
Median household income
21.2%
20%
Poverty rate
37.3%
31%
Housing burden
31.2%
40%
Childcare cost burden
8.5%
8%
Unemployment rate
STOCKTON
STATE MEDIAN
Demographic Data for Study Participants
Median Annual Household income
IGI
$15,702
Ithaca, NY
$40,973
Annual Household Income (Mean)
$20,041
Sample Size
110
Avg. Age of Respondent
41
Avg. Children in Household
2
Avg. Household Size
3
gendermarital statuschildren in household
Male
23%
Female
74%
Other
3%
Married
19%
Single
64%
Partnered/In-Relationship
17%
Yes
83%
No
17%
race
White
52%
African American
29%
American Indian/Alaska Native
2%
Asian
5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Latino
2%
Other/Mixed
12%
ethnicityprimary language at home
Hispanic
14%
Non-Hispanic
86%
English
90%
Spanish
2%
Other
8%
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.
Unemployment
Inflation
Pilot Timeline
Spending Breakdown
The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in Ithaca, NY. 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 38.45%, followed by Retail sales and services (25.03%) and Financial transactions (14.91%).
