Elevate MV

Elevate MV was launched in 2022 by the Mountain View City Council.

166

participants

$500

monthly payment

2 Years

duration

$1,992,000

invested in community

logo
Program Features  
Number of Participants166 individuals
Amount$500
Frequencymonthly
Program DatesDecember 2022-November 2024
EligibilityResident of Mountain View, regardless of immigration and housing status; income at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI); parental/custodial caregiver with at least one child under the age of 18 at the time of application; and must maintain Mountain View residency throughout the program.

About Elevate MV

The Mountain View Elevate MV pilot program gives direct cash payments of $500 per month to 166 randomly selected and qualifying extremely low-income Mountain View individuals to elevate their basic income and provide more financial security. A control group of 132 applicants will not receive a monthly cash deposit. The pilot program sets itself apart from other direct relief programs by providing unrestricted financial assistance to the most vulnerable in our community. This means participants are empowered to choose how to best meet the needs of their family without conditions or work requirements. Elevate MV is operated through the City’s partner Community Services Agency, supported by the YMCA and Community Financial Resources.

Data last updated October 1, 2024.

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Demographic Data for Study Participants

Median Annual Household income

Elevate MV

$16,155

Mountain View, CA

$165,448

Annual Household Income (Mean)

$19,060

Sample Size

110

Avg. Age of Respondent

39

Avg. Children in Household

2

Avg. Household Size

4

gender

Male

16%

Female

84%

Other

0%

marital status

Married

41%

Single

35%

Partnered/In-Relationship

22%

children in household

Yes

100%

No

0%

race

White

28%

African American

4%

American Indian/Alaska Native

3%

Asian

3%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

1%

Latino

41%

Other/Mixed

22%

ethnicity

Hispanic

86%

Non-Hispanic

14%

primary language at home

English

19%

Spanish

73%

Other

7%

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 Mountain View, CA. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.

Spending breakdown

Retail sales and services accounted for the largest share of spending, at 43.06%, followed by Food and groceries (39.48%) and Transport related expenses (6.83%).

Gladys

"I have been able to visit places with my daughters and truly have enjoyed having somewhat of an economic stability to take them out to places and enjoy things we couldn’t in the past because mommy was always working to make ends meet."

Gladys

Elevate MV

Mountain View, CA

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