HudsonUP
HudsonUP is a five-year basic income pilot providing 128 low-income residents of Hudson, NY with $500 unconditional monthly payments, launched in Fall 2020 in three enrollment cohorts (2020, 2021, 2022). It was created by the nonprofit The Spark of Hudson in partnership with the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, the City of Hudson Mayor's Office, and Columbia County Department of Social Services, with funding from Humanity Forward Foundation and other private donors. The Jain Family Institute (JFI), with researchers from Appalachian State University, led a five-year mixed-methods research evaluation. The final disbursements and fifth annual research report concluded in late 2025/early 2026. HudsonUP is affiliated with Mayors for Guaranteed Income and the Guaranteed Income Communities of Practice.
Guaranteed Income, Basic Income, Mayors for Guaranteed Income, Five-Year Pilot, Longest-Running US GI Pilot
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- The Spark of Hudson
- City
- Hudson
- State / Province
- New York
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Website
- https://www.hudsonup.org/
- info@hudsonup.org
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 128
- Funding type
- Philanthropic, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 30,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 500 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 60 months
- Benefit details
Participants receive $500 per month for 60 consecutive months (a total of $30,000 per participant), with no restrictions on how the money is spent. The pilot enrolled participants in three cohorts: 25 in Fall 2020, 50 in Fall 2021, and 53 in Fall 2022, for a total of 128 recipients. Benefits counseling was offered to help participants understand potential impacts on other public benefits before opting in. Participation in research and storytelling components was voluntary.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible participants were residents of the City of Hudson, NY, aged 18 or older, with household income below the city's median annual income. Participants could be single or married, with or without children. Selection was conducted via a random lottery weighted by equity factors and overseen by independent researchers.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
Geography
- US states covered
- New York
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Hudson
- Counties covered
- Columbia
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Optional
- Research / participation requirements
The Jain Family Institute (JFI), led by Senior Fellow Leah Hamilton along with Sofie deCamara and Brittany Ford of Appalachian State University, conducted a five-year mixed-methods evaluation (biannual surveys and interviews), publishing annual reports from Year 1 through the fifth and final report (released February 2026). Findings: unconditional cash reduced financial stress, provided dignity and stability, and helped participants weather shocks and pursue education or caregiving. However, structural barriers — particularly Hudson's rising housing costs, shrinking affordable rental stock, and health/labor-market inequities — meant $500/month could not fully overcome rent burden or enable significant savings for many participants. JFI's final conclusion calls for pairing guaranteed income with affordable housing, healthcare access, and labor protections.
Application Process
- How to apply
Applications were accepted during defined open-enrollment windows for each of the three cohorts (Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022). The program is not currently accepting applications; all cohorts have completed their 5-year payment terms.
- Selection process
Eligible applicants (Hudson, NY residents 18+, earning below the city's median income) were entered into a random lottery weighted by equity factors, overseen by independent researchers.
