Oakland Resilient Families

A Groundbreaking Guaranteed Income Pilot

In one of the country’s largest guaranteed income pilots, UpTogether, the City of Oakland, and Oakland Thrives partnered to provide 600 Oakland families with $500 per month for 18 months—no strings attached.

Launched in 2021 during the height of the pandemic, the Oakland Resilient Families Fund was designed to show what’s possible when families are trusted with resources to meet their own needs. The results are in.

Graphic that says: 600 Families received $500/month for 18 months. *with no strings attached*

“We believe that people are experts in their own lives. This study confirms what our members have shown us time and again: when you invest directly in families—without restrictions—they use those resources to meet their goals and create ripple effects across generations. It’s time for systems to catch up to what families already know: direct cash works.”

– Jesús Gerena, UpTogether CEO

Oakland Resilient Families Results

TRUSTING AND INVESTING IN FAMILIES WORKS.

Oakland Resilient Families were likely to gain many benefits.

The Center for Guaranteed Income Research evaluated the impact on 300 families from the pilot’s second cohort. To be eligible, families needed to have at least one child under 18 and incomes below 138% of the federal poverty line.

A control group of 360 families, randomly selected from the same applicant pool, was used to compare outcomes.

The results show families experienced:

Improved mental well-being
Employment opportunities
Greater housing stability
Increased school engagement for their children

PARTICIPANTS SECURED BETTER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Graphic: Families were 73% more likely to have Full-Time Employment

Susana used her guaranteed income to go back to college, earn her degree, and become a full-time teacher. Like so many families, she just needed “an extra little something in the tank” to put her dreams within reach.

PARTICIPANTS HAD MORE STABLE HOUSING.

Graphic: Oakland families were less likely to experience homelessness

A young Black man with glasses on and a hood pulled up stands outside next to a tree

Terran paid his bills, moved, and had money to buy furniture, which he got “completely attached” to. “I was extremely happy,” he said. Now, he’s planning to launch a housing program to help others.

THEIR CHILDREN DID BETTER IN SCHOOL.

Graphic: Children were 41% more likely to make As.

“I can guarantee you people are doing what they should” with direct cash investments, Tiffany said. “It kept us afloat while I was still in the process of figuring out what to do. It made sure we made it a lot of days where I didn’t think we would.”

“This work reflects what’s possible when we shift power and resources to families. We know the solutions are already in the community—this pilot simply helped clear a path.”

– Melanie Moore, CEO of Oakland Thrives

Discover more about the groundbreaking Oakland Resilient Families Fund. Share with others to help disrupt the status quo approach to ending poverty.

Susana, Terran, and Tiffany are just three of the 600 Oakland Resilient Families. Check out more stories in Season 3 of the Moving Up Together Podcast.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Guaranteed Income Research evaluated the impact on 300 families from the pilot’s second cohort.

UpTogether and Oakland Thrives call for policy change as pilot shows direct cash investments effectively support families and communities.