Cash with Care
Cash with Care is a guaranteed income pilot launched by the New York City Council in partnership with Covenant House New York (CHNY) to support young people experiencing homelessness. Funded through a $1.5 million allocation in the City's Fiscal Year 2026 budget under Local Law 105 of 2023, it provides 60 participants ages 18-24 living in CHNY shelter and transitional housing programs with a monthly cash stipend plus a flexible lump-sum payment alongside wraparound services. Chapin Hall, a youth-homelessness policy research organization and CHNY's "Insight to Impact" partner, is conducting the accompanying evaluation, tracking outcomes such as permanent housing, food security, debt reduction, and long-term stability.
Youth Homelessness, Guaranteed Income, Wraparound Services, Chapin Hall Research Partnership, NYC Council Funded, Insight to Impact
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Covenant House New York (CHNY)
- City
- New York
- State / Province
- New York
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 212-613-0300
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 60
- Funding type
- Government
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 15,800 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,316.67 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Benefit details
Participants receive a $1,200 monthly cash stipend for nine months plus a one-time $5,000 payment that can be accessed at any point during the first nine months of the 12-month program, for a maximum total benefit of $15,800. Payments are unconditional (no strings attached) but paired with mandatory benefits counseling and wraparound services including financial planning, housing search assistance, and career development support. Chapin Hall collects, tracks, and analyzes participant data throughout and potentially beyond enrollment to assess outcomes.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible participants are young people ages 18 to 24 who are currently living in Covenant House New York's shelter or transitional residential programs (such as Rights of Passage). The cohort is limited to 60 youth already engaged with CHNY services; no external or public application process was identified in available sources. Enrollment includes participation in benefits counseling as part of the program.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 24
Housing
- Housing status
- Homeless
Geography
- US states covered
- New York
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- New York City
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Benefits counseling, financial planning, housing search assistance, career development (CHNY wraparound services)
- Research / participation requirements
Chapin Hall, in partnership with CHNY under the 'Insight to Impact (i2i)' initiative, conducts a study using surveys and interviews with participants to build a knowledge base on housing, education, employment, and well-being outcomes, ideally extending beyond program participation; findings are intended to inform policy and future investment in ending youth homelessness.
Application Process
- Selection process
Participants are selected from young people ages 18-24 currently residing in Covenant House New York shelter and transitional residential programs (e.g., Rights of Passage); no public/open application process was identified in available sources.
