A REGIONAL MOVEMENT TO EXPAND GUARANTEED INCOME
Santa Clara County is home to one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. Wages have not kept pace with sky high housing costs, putting tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals and families on the brink of homelessness. Guaranteed income – providing unconditional cash payments to support basic needs – offer tremendous potential in helping households bridge this financial gap.
Recognizing the power of guaranteed income in helping families achieve and maintain housing and financial stability, attain self-sufficiency, and improve their long-term well-being, Santa Clara County is becoming a statewide leader in the movement to expand the reach of these programs and to embed their shared principles into existing safety net services.
PILOTS UNDERWAY THROUGHOUT SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Nine guaranteed income pilots are currently underway in Santa Clara County, spearheaded by local jurisdictions, nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, providing unconditional monthly payments to over 800 households. Targeting specific populations experiencing and most at risk of homelessness in our community, these funds are providing participants the flexibility to decide how best to meet their needs.
Extremely low-income families
The City of Mountain View’s Elevate MV pilot program is supporting extremely low-income residents, contributing to a national study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Center for Guaranteed Income Research.
Former foster youth
An initial cohort of former foster youth supported by the County of Santa Clara reported a decrease in experiences of homelessness, and increased full-time enrollment in school and employment. A second cohort is underway.
Justice-involved individuals
Justice-involved people are at greater risk of homelessness and recidivism, which is why the County of Santa Clara and Destination: Home are working to support their stability with guaranteed income.
Undocumented elders
Sacred Heart Community Service and Destination: Home are partnering to support undocumented seniors, studying the impact of guaranteed income on a population ineligible for most benefits and at an increasing risk of homelessness.
Unhoused high school seniors
The County of Santa Clara hopes to increase attainment of education and employment for high school students experiencing homelessness by providing guaranteed income.
Unhoused & Unstably Housed Families
The Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Project is one of the few guaranteed income projects specifically focused on unhoused and marginalized families with UCSF’s Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative conducting a randomized control trial to evaluate impacts.
Young adults
The City of San Jose is managing two programs supporting 100 young adults in partnership with Bill Wilson Center and Unity Care, with the goal of providing college-engaged, LGBTQIA+, former foster care, undocumented and/or refugee 18-24 year olds a path toward long-term self-sufficiency and stable housing.
Young parents
The County of Santa Clara is starting a Guaranteed Basic Income pilot for young parents who have interacted with the child welfare or justice systems. The goal is to help them get better child care and resources to improve their families’ lives and set their children up for success.
ALL ACTIVE AND PLANNED GUARANTEED INCOME
PILOTS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY
| Income Recipients | Partner Organizations | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 122 Former Foster Youth |  |
Sep. 2020 – Jul. 2025 |
| 150 Homeless and Unstably Housed Families |
|
Dec. 2022 – Jun. 2026 |
| 110 Extremely Low-Income Mountain View Residents |
|
Dec. 2022 – Dec. 2024 |
| 75 Unhoused High School Seniors |
|
Summer 2024 |
| 55 College-engaged Young Adults |
|
Summer 2024 |
| 51 LGBTQIA+ Young Adults |
|
Summer 2024 |
| 100 Justice Involved Individuals |
|
Fall 2024 |
| 100 Young Parents | |
Winter 2024 |
| 50 Undocumented Seniors |
|
2025 |
ROBUST EVALUATION & SHARED OUTCOMES
These pilots are contributing to a growing body of research demonstrating the efficacy of guaranteed income in fostering financial stability and improved wellbeing. Independent research experts are evaluating each program, with the intention to identify successful models to scale and replicate in support of several collective housing and economic security goals.
Increase impact through shared data
Data and findings gathered from these studies will be used to inform support for populations struggling with financial stability in Silicon Valley, ranging from unhoused students and former foster youth to elders and working families. By sharing data across pilots, we will be identifying best-practices and effective program models to improve our safety net systems.
Inform local, statewide and national policy decisions
These programs have the potential to repair the systems that are making it too hard for people to achieve and maintain financial security. Findings will inform policy by shifting local narratives, practices and policies around guaranteed income for populations most at risk of homelessness.
FUNDERS IN PROVIDING GUARANTEED INCOME
Several funders are supporting these guaranteed income programs including:
To learn more about these programs or join the regional movement for guaranteed basic income, email the County of Santa Clara at basicincome@ceo.sccgov.org
News & Updates
What Guaranteed Income Could Do for Young Americans
With a poverty rate that is steadily increasing among young adults, a monthly stipend of $500 for 18- to 24-year-olds—many of whom are juggling multiple jobs and school—could make a world of difference.
Is It Silicon Valley’s Job to Make Guaranteed Income a Reality?
The tech community, led by Sam Altman of OpenAI, has funded programs that give people unconditional cash. Some say it’s time to scale up.
Santa Clara County families benefit from guaranteed income, report shows
A new report bolsters the importance of guaranteed basic income programs as a lifeline for families in Santa Clara County who can’t afford the necessities.
County of Santa Clara Expands Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program to Additional Vulnerable Populations
The County’s latest initiative expands the innovative guaranteed basic income program to include young mothers, unhoused high school seniors, and justice-involved clients in addition to former foster youth
County of Santa Clara’s basic income pilot: ‘This program is changing lives’
Recipients talk about opportunities offered by monthly stipend as they exit foster care system
