New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell

Mayors Guaranteed Income Pilot helped teens economic wellbeing, employment chances in New Orleans

Contributed By: The 411 News

This month, the Mayors Guaranteed Income Pilot, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and the New Orleans Office of Youth and Families welcomed the release of independent data on the New Orleans Guaranteed Income Program, showcasing higher employment rates, improved financial well-being and better housing security.

The New Orleans Guaranteed Income Program provided $350 a month for 10 months to 125 young people between the ages of 16-24. Initiated by Mayor LaToya Cantrell and operated by the Office of Youth and Families, the program focused on young people in Orleans Parish who were disconnected from work and school, with the goal of supporting these “opportunity youth” to connect to education and employment opportunities.

Key findings include:
Increase in employment — The increase in full-time employment was statistically significant, going from 6 percent at the outset to 21 percent after the program. Income volatility decreased by nearly 20 percentage points over the course of the program.

Improved financial stability — Shifts in financial well-being over the course of the program indicate a positive trend over time, with fewer individuals falling into the lower well-being categories and more transitioning into higher well-being statuses.

Alleviated housing cost burden — Despite general market trends of increasing rents and housing costs, the percentage of participants reporting a housing cost burden exceeding 50 percent of their income declined over the course of the program. Notably, homelessness was only reported during the Baseline evaluation, indicating a potential improvement in housing situation over time.

Full report can be found at https://www.guaranteedincomeworks.org/data-from-new-orleans

Story Posted:10/01/2024