Helbert Morrison is one D.C. resident who wants to see more guaranteed-income programs.
Last month, he received a $5,500 one-time, unconditional payment from a private, pilot program. And it came in the nick of time for the single father.
鈥淚 was having car problems at the time,鈥� Morrison said. 鈥淎s far as food, transportation and my living situation, it was big relief.鈥�
The privately funded THRIVE program transferred the money to Morrison and nearly 600 other D.C. residents, with the goal of helping stabilize households during the pandemic.
A new study released this month discovered participants saw greater food security and better mental health outcomes. And many parents noticed they were less worried about their children鈥檚 well-being.
Morrison, whose son has cerebral palsy, said the money came with no strings attached.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e dealing with financial burdens, you鈥檙e trying to figure it out,鈥� Morrison said. 鈥淚鈥檓 able to do more for him now, so that makes me extremely proud.鈥�
Earlier this year, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced plans for a guaranteed-income program that gives $900 a month to low-income mothers.
Researchers probing the THRIVE program discovered that cash-transfer programs are more effective and efficient than other safety net programs that divvy out food and housing vouchers.
And THRIVE can be used as a map for future guaranteed-income programs in the District and around the country, said Mary Bogle, a lead researcher for the Urban Institute, which conducted the study.
鈥淐ash has this equitable effect. It allows people to make their own choices about how they鈥檙e going to stabilize their households,鈥� Bogle said. 鈥淭his is contrary to how our safety networks work.鈥�
Morrison said more parents like him would like to see this kind of help for families.
鈥淲ith the help of THRIVE, I was able to sort of pay ahead and have time to map out what鈥檚 best for me to do,鈥� Morrison said. 鈥淚t just took a big weight off my shoulders.鈥�
