NYC Council Launches Guaranteed Income Program for Homeless Youth, Invests in Long-Term Stability
Cash with Care program allocates 1.5 million dollars to support young New Yorkers experiencing homelessness with direct cash assistance
New York City Council has approved funding for a groundbreaking guaranteed income program aimed at helping young people experiencing homelessness achieve lasting stability and independence. The Cash with Care program, supported by a one point five million dollar allocation in the city's Fiscal Year 2026 budget, will provide direct cash assistance to sixty young New Yorkers between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four living at Covenant House New York, a leading provider of services to homeless youth. A Novel Approach to Youth Homelessness The Cash with Care program represents an innovative approach to addressing youth homelessness by combining direct cash assistance with comprehensive services. Rather than viewing cash transfers as charity, the program recognizes that young people experiencing homelessness often have clear goals for housing, education, and employment but lack the financial resources to achieve them. Cash assistance provides immediate purchasing power that allows participants to move more quickly toward stability while remaining engaged with supportive services. The Program Structure Covenant House New York, in partnership with Chapin Hall, a respected research organization that conducted the landmark Voices of Youth Count study on youth homelessness, will implement the program. Chapin Hall will conduct rigorous evaluation of program outcomes, tracking participants' progress across multiple dimensions of well-being and stability. Dr. Shakeema North-Albert, CEO of Covenant House New York, emphasized the program's significance: "The reason they choose to be here is because they have the courage to build their own futures. This cash assistance will help them reach their housing and financial well-being goals faster." Measuring Success and Building Knowledge The Cash with Care program includes built-in research and evaluation components that will generate valuable knowledge about what works in addressing youth homelessness. Throughout the program, Chapin Hall will collect, track, and analyze data to assess multiple outcomes. Researchers will measure the number of participants who obtain permanent housing, experience improved food security, reduce or eliminate debt, and make progress toward long-term stability. These findings will inform policy decisions and investment strategies at the city and potentially state levels. The Broader Crisis Youth homelessness represents a significant and often invisible portion of the city's larger homelessness crisis. Young people experiencing homelessness face particular vulnerabilities including educational disruption, employment barriers, increased risk of trafficking and exploitation, and mental health challenges. The city's shelter system serves thousands of young people, but prevention and rapid rehousing programs have long been underfunded relative to the scope of the problem. Direct Cash Assistance Evidence Direct cash assistance programs have gained increasing attention nationally as evidence accumulates about their effectiveness. Unlike programs that provide vouchers for specific services, cash assistance gives individuals agency to make decisions about their own needs and priorities. Research shows that cash transfers can be particularly effective for young people working to become self-sufficient, as they provide resources at a critical moment when participants are developing independence. Integration with Covenant House Services The program operates within the context of Covenant House New York's comprehensive services, including housing, job training, educational support, mental health counseling, and other wraparound services. This integration ensures that cash assistance works in concert with other supports rather than substituting for comprehensive case management and services. Young people enrolled in the program will continue receiving counseling, mentorship, and practical assistance in navigating the systems they need to access. Leadership and Political Will The program's authorization reflects commitment from City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and the broader council body to addressing homelessness through evidence-based approaches. Speaker Adams stated: "When we invest in young people, we're investing in the future of our entire city. Guaranteed income programs are effective in opening new pathways to self-sufficiency and stability." This recognition represents a shift toward acknowledging homelessness as amenable to intervention and not merely an inevitable feature of city life. Information and Resources For detailed information about the Cash with Care program and Covenant House New York's services, Covenant House's official website provides information on programs and how to access services. For research context on youth homelessness and evidence-based practices, Chapin Hall's website provides access to research publications and findings. For information about the program and other homelessness initiatives, the New York City Council website provides official announcements and legislative information. For broader context on homelessness policy, the NYC Department of Homeless Services provides information on available programs and services. The Cash with Care program represents an important investment in young people and a commitment to testing evidence-based approaches to homelessness prevention and resolution.