Massachusetts mayor wants nation to see positive impact of cash handouts as city tackles poverty

The recipients of the guaranteed income program, called "Uplift Salem," and a separate control group of 100 others were involved in a study, which led to results showing a net positive for the community, the mayor claimed.

Similar to other pilot guaranteed income programs across the country that launched using American Rescue Plan Act funds, Uplift Salem was studied by researchers to measure its benefits to the recipients of cash payments and the overall community. 

"Uplift Salem was an opportunity for us to add to the body of work demonstrating the efficacy of these programs," Pangallo added. He continued, "We will continue to advance the conversation at both the state and national level as well, demonstrating how positive an impact these programs have had."

Pangallo's comments came ahead of a panel scheduled at Salem State University. Researchers plan to explain how the findings from the study impacted recipients and address a "plethora of systemic issues that impact those recipients and compound issues in poverty."

"The data from the SSU research partners demonstrated that programs like Uplift Salem provide a broad community benefit: When neighbors have more consistent access to supports like healthcare, childcare, and transportation, it improves the community overall," Pangallo said.

Uplift Salem was funded by private contributions by project partners and a non-profit called "UpTogether," totaling $685,000. 

The pilot program in Cook County, Illinois, the state's largest county that oversees Chicago, was later expanded into a permanent program, becoming the first guaranteed income program in the country to continue permanently.