What does $1,200 a month really mean in New York City?
In a place where average rent now stands at $3,464, nearly 74% above the national average, according to Zillow Rentals data it is not enough to comfortably lease an apartment. But for 60 young adults American adults experiencing homelessness, it could be life-changing.
Since December, New York City has been running a guaranteed income pilot called "Cash with Care," providing $1,200 per month to randomly selected homeless youths between ages 18 and 24. Participants can also access a one-time $5,000 lump sum at any point during the program.
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The $1.5 million initiative is funded by the City Council and administered in partnership with Covenant House New York and policy research center Chapin Hall. It runs through June 2026.
New York is home to more than 6,800 homeless youths who are not in the custody of a parent or guardian. Many move between shelters, unstable housing arrangements and temporary programs that rarely translate into permanent stability.
The math is unforgiving. Studios in the city average $3,250 per month. One-bedroom apartments average $3,390. Even with roommates, upfront costs such as broker fees and security deposits can be insurmountable without savings.
Can $1,200 buy stability in NYC?
Participants described immediate changes.
A 22-year-old Bronx shelter resident told THE CITY that the stipend is allowing her to save toward a security deposit while waiting for placement through the city's rapid re-housing program.
After more than a year cycling through shelters, she described the emotional toll of uncertainty. With steady cash now arriving each month, she and her sister have begun considering whether securing an apartment independently may be faster than waiting for city approval.
Another participant, a 19-year-old college student, initially treated the first deposit as breathing room, buying essentials and exploring the city. After meeting with a case manager, she shifted her approach. She now caps weekly spending and sets aside roughly $500 per month, aiming to build savings while exploring career options.
"My birthday is about to come up, I'm going to be turning 20," she said. "And I'm trying to convert to better habits. So I'm like, 'OK, let me lock in.'"
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Skepticism inside the shelter system
CEO Shakeema North-Albert said that when she first heard about the idea of unconditional cash, she questioned whether young people would spend responsibly.
But the presence of financial coaching and housing support altered her view. The combination of autonomy and structured guidance, she said, appears to be helping participants think long-term rather than transactionally.
The experiment builds on Chapin Hall's 2021 "Trust Youth Initiative," in which more than 90% of participants reported improved housing stability after receiving stipends.
Researchers will now compare outcomes for the 60 current recipients against a control group of another 60 youths not receiving payments, measuring housing stability and food security through case data and surveys.
Guaranteed income can reduce homelessness, survey shows
A July 2025 evaluation of New York City's Trust Youth Initiative by policy research center Chapin Hall found that guaranteed income paired with supportive services significantly reduced homelessness among participating young adults.
The program followed a "cash plus" model, providing youth ages 18 to 24 with $550 twice a month for 24 months — totaling $26,400 — along with a one-time $3,000 enrichment payment to cover larger costs such as security deposits.
Participants also received housing navigation, financial coaching and peer support through the Ali Forney Center.
Six months after payments ended, only 8% of participants were experiencing homelessness, compared with 25% of those receiving standard services. None of the participants remained in shelters at the 30-month mark.
The study also found improved food security and savings levels, with 19% reporting at least $500 in savings, versus 6% in the comparison group.
Researchers noted that cash worked best alongside housing vouchers and support systems.
At the same time, rising rents — which increased roughly 50% to 53% between 2019 and 2024 — eroded some of the original program's purchasing power.
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Not the first experiment
Earlier in 2025, another unusual pilot program quietly tested a different kind of safety net — this time using crypto instead of cash.
The initiative, run by nonprofit GiveDirectly and funded through remaining contributions from Coinbase's now-closed philanthropy arm, distributed funds to 160 low-income New Yorkers in the form of USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar.
Each participant received $12,000 in total — structured as an $8,000 upfront lump sum followed by $800 per month for five months.
Unlike traditional guaranteed income programs, all funds were delivered through Coinbase accounts, allowing recipients to hold the USDC, convert it to dollars, or withdraw it to their bank accounts.
Related: Another popular crypto company shuts down amid market crash
This story was originally published by TheStreet on Feb 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the MARKETS section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
