With the completion of its first three year program, Family Health Project (FHP) is happy to report that its guaranteed-income programs have made a significant difference in the lives of the young mothers and families that it serves.

The Massachusetts-based nonprofit has been running two pilot programs, each serving 15 first time mothers living in deep poverty. Under the programs, each mother receives $400 per month — with no conditions on how the money can be spent – for three years.

All 15 mothers in the Lynn, MA program have received their final monthly payment, and the 15 mothers in the Roxbury, MA program will arrive at the end of their program next year. With these pilots drawing to a close, FHP has just released an Impact Report detailing the effects on the lives and well-being of program participants.

Initial finding from the recently concluded pilot include:

• 60 percent of mothers made educational gains – including one mom who was able to complete her nursing degree at Salem State University.
• 70 percent of families reported that their living conditions had improved as a result of increased income under the program, including three families who were able to move from rooming houses or other inadequate housing into apartments.
• 100 percent of mothers established better connections with community resource programs such as food pantries, health-care providers, and affordable housing.  All children in the program now have pediatricians.
• 100 percent of families were free of health crises or major health issues over the 36-month term of the program.

While seemingly relatively modest, the $400 cash payments had a major impact on the lives of these mothers and their children. For some, the extra money meant they were able to pay for a bus pass or an Uber, and that meant they could finally maintain a steady job or even enter the workforce. Three mothers in the Lynn pilot found jobs while they were in the program, and five families increased their household income.

The money has helped in other ways, as well: at the start of the program none of the mothers had her own cell phone, but now 70 percent of them do — and all families now have Internet access. In addition, while all of the Lynn moms are Latinas whose first language is Spanish, 70 percent can now speak English at a basic or intermediate level.

Mothers observed that the monthly cash payments had improved their lives in concrete ways. “Since receiving the monthly allowance, I have been able to pay rent, provide food, and cover other day-to-day expenses for us,” said one mom. “The support that has been given to us has uplifted me in many ways and for that we thank the Family Health Project.”

“I am proud to say that Family Health Project for new moms has helped me and my baby boy so much,” noted another. “From being in a shelter and having no means to care for my child, the help was so needed and I was able to provide for my son.”

The Impact Report for the recently concluded pilot is just the latest in a series of studies that all support the same conclusion: unconditional direct giving programs work. The data show that even modest monthly payments can lead to significant improvements in family health, nutrition, employment, and educational attainment. Especially for the children, the impact of these cash payments can be truly life changing.

Joe Knowles, founder and CEO of the Family Health project, said the results should come as no surprise. Direct giving pilot programs are springing up around the country, he noted – with more than 50 currently in operation or on the books – “and everywhere this idea has been tried, it’s been proven successful.”

While some guaranteed-income programs have relied at least partly on government funding, Knowles believes FHP’s model – which relies solely on private donations – is a more sustainable approach.

“As I’ve said before, poverty is unacceptable – and direct giving is one scalable solution,” he said. “Based on our successes in Roxbury and Lynn, Family Health Project is going to keep moving forward — continuing to leverage the generosity of private donors into a brighter future for families in need.”