Mayor Siddiqui Announces Launch of Cambridge RISE Pilot

Cambridge RISE, a guaranteed income pilot targeting 130 single-caretaker households, is officially underway after almost a year of planning. The mission of Cambridge RISE is to address the growing economic divide and racial inequities in Cambridge, while also maintaining its diverse population and allowing families to thrive. The first round of monthly $500 payments was sent to 130 single-caretaker households on September 7th.

“I am so excited for families to begin receiving funds, and so grateful to everyone involved in making RISE possible,” said Mayor Siddiqui. “This program has been a long time in the making and I am thrilled that we will see its impact soon.”

The RISE program was made possible by a long list of supporters, including Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, Cambridge Community Foundation, Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Just A Start, Uptogether, Cambridge Housing Authority, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The Boston Foundation, and many others.
Households will receive monthly $500 payments over a period of 18 months. This pilot is one of over 50 across the country. Through Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, the Mayor’s Office is partnering with the Center for Guaranteed Income Research out of the University of Pennsylvania to conduct the research component of this pilot and study the impacts. Updates will be shared as the project continues over the next 18 months.

Find out more information here.

Please direct any questions to mscarlett@cambridgema.gov.