Providence Guaranteed Income Program

The Providence Guaranteed Income Program was launched in 2021 by Mayor Jorge Elorza.

110

participants

$500

monthly payment

1.5 Years

duration

$990,000

invested in community

logo
Program Features  
Number of Participants110 individuals
Amount$500
Frequencymonthly
Program DatesNovember 2021-April 2023
EligibilityProvidence resident, 18 years or older, with income below 200% of the federal poverty level

About the Providence Guaranteed Income Program

The Providence Guaranteed Income Program is administered by Amos House and is being evaluated by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Guaranteed Income Research. Researchers are looking at the impact this supplemental income has on participants’ economic volatility, employment status, physical and mental well-being, civic engagement, and parental engagement in their children’s education. Participants were selected from an applicant pool via a lottery conducted by our research team, which was weighted to ensure that the participants were representative of the Providence population living in poverty. The participants’ average monthly income, pre-pilot, was $1,094, meaning these payments represent a 46% average increase in their income. The initial 12 months of our pilot were funded entirely through private philanthropy. In the summer of 2022, the City was able to extend the pilot for an additional six months, thanks to our American Rescue Plan award. (photo credit: Josephine Sittenfeld)

Data last updated October 1, 2024.

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Demographic Data for Study Participants

Median Annual Household income

PGIP

$10,266

Providence, RI

$64,184

Annual Household Income (Mean)

$12,361

Sample Size

110

Avg. Age of Respondent

42

Avg. Children in Household

1

Avg. Household Size

3

gender

Male

24%

Female

76%

Other

0%

marital status

Married

12%

Single

80%

Partnered/In-Relationship

8%

children in household

Yes

61%

No

39%

race

White

31%

African American

19%

American Indian/Alaska Native

2%

Asian

5%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

2%

Latino

0%

Other/Mixed

41%

ethnicity

Hispanic

45%

Non-Hispanic

55%

primary language at home

English

74%

Spanish

24%

Other

3%

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 Providence, RI. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' bank accounts, not just those that are from the guaranteed income they received.

Spending breakdown

Retail sales and services accounted for the largest share of spending, at 37.05%, followed by Food and groceries (30.54%) and Housing & Utilities (9.41%).

Brandi

“It is relieving to be a part of this pilot because if I need something, I can go get it,” said Brandi. “It feels good to know I can get things for myself, which is something I haven’t been able to do in a very long time.”

Brandi

Providence Guaranteed Income Program

Providence, RI

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