Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Book

Description

The homeless population of Broome County has grown by 50% from 2020 to 2022. While traditional social programs to address homelessness have emphasized shelters, rehabilitation programs, and supportive housing, a growing body of evidence suggests that direct cash transfers to the homeless carry substantial benefits. A study in Vancouver found that cash aid recipients significantly reduced nights spent outdoors and in shelters; advocates also argue that cash is empowering and less paternalistic than in-kind benefits. This project asks how direct cash transfers, in the form of a guaranteed annual income (GAI), would affect Binghamton’s homeless population. Using demographic statistics, pilot program data, a review of public policy scholarship, and interviews conducted with local organizations, this research explores the potential impact of a GAI on the local homeless community. The benefits include reduction in healthcare spending, increased health, better social relations, increased savings, increased housing stability, and ability to meet basic needs.

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Ensuring Equity: Investigation Of The Impact Of A Guaranteed Annual Income On The Homeless Population Of Binghamton

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