- The Baltimore Young Family Success Fund aims to reduce poverty and inequality.
- Participants saw improvements in income, education, and housing.
- The program may inspire future guaranteed income initiatives.
When Mayor Scott introduced the Baltimore Young Family Success Fund in August 2022, some people were skeptical.
They saw it as just another welfare program. The fund provides $1,000 a month to 200 young parents in Baltimore for two years. This money helps families below 300% of the federal poverty line. Critics wondered if the money would be used wisely.
Mayor Scott addressed concerns at a recent news conference. He shared data from the first year of the program. The results showed that participants are doing better than a control group.
Participants have seen increases in income, education, housing, and jobs. For example, household incomes for participants almost doubled compared to the control group after six months.
Mayor Scott emphasized that families used the money for essential needs like housing, food, and transportation. He firmly opposed the idea that the money would be wasted.
He also mentioned there’s no plan to extend the project beyond July, but highlighted the need for a nationwide guaranteed income.
Mayor Scott has emphasized the positive outcomes, noting that participants’ household incomes nearly doubled compared to the control group.
While there are no current plans to continue the program beyond July, the success observed suggests potential for broader implementation.
Who Can Apply
To take part in this program, families must meet certain criteria. Participants must reside in Baltimore and have young children. Their income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty line.
The final payment is scheduled for July, and there are no current plans to extend the program beyond that date.
Results of Program
Preliminary Report Outcomes
The results from the first year show noteworthy improvements for families involved in the program. Participants experienced advances in income, education, housing, and employment.
At the start, both groups—participants and control—had similar household incomes. By the six-month survey, participants’ household incomes had nearly doubled compared to the control group.
Income and Housing Progress
Significant income gains were recorded for the participants. The additional funds greatly impacted the participants’ ability to afford better housing.
Mayor Scott highlighted that families didn’t squander the money; instead, they focused on essential needs like housing, food, and transportation to provide for their families.
Participants’ Spending Choices
The unrestricted funds allowed families to spend as needed. The data shows that these funds were mainly used for housing, food, and transportation. This spending behavior aligns with expectations and counters criticisms that the program might be abused.
Future of the Program
Mayor Scott announced that the Baltimore Young Family Success Fund will expire in July with no plans for extension. Despite positive results, there is no scheduled continuation of the initiative.
According to Mayor Scott, the success of this project suggests the need for a guaranteed income at the federal level. He emphasizes that the federal government should consider implementing such programs nationwide to address income inequality and poverty.
Mayor Scott clarified that the program was not a welfare initiative. Initial criticisms were disproved by the data, showing that families used the funds responsibly on essentials like housing, food, and transportation.
