Researchers Study Evanston’s Guaranteed Income Program
A team of Northwestern University graduate students is examining the impact of new guaranteed income program, a joint initiative between the University and the City of Evanston designed to address economic insecurity.
Northwestern has provided $400,000 in funding for the pilot program, while additional funds come from the American Rescue Plan, the City of Evanston and the Evanston Community Foundation.
The research effort will be led by Phoebe Lin, Claire Mackevicius and Sheridan Fuller, who are all pursuing doctorates in human development and social policy. The principal investigator will be professor Jonathan Guryan, an economist and the Lawyer Taylor Professor of Education and Social Policy at the School of Education and Social Policy.
“This partnership allows us to use our School of Education and Social Policy training to support this city-led initiative that is intentional about fostering humanizing and dignifying experiences for community members,” the graduate students said in a joint statement. “We are transparent in our goal of using research to uncover pathways towards more equitable resource distribution, and through this project we aim to provide evidence to inform policy decision-making.”
The Guaranteed Income Pilot Program will provide 150 people with a $500 monthly stipend for one year to use as they wish. Organizers are seeking applicants from three demographic categories: 18-to-24-year-old adults, seniors age 62+ and undocumented residents -- whose current incomes fall below the poverty level. Applications are open through Aug. 29, 2022.
Read more in Northwestern Now or visit the City of Evanston website to learn more about the Guaranteed Income Program