Elm City Reentry Pilot
Forty formerly incarcerated individuals from the New Haven area are receiving $500/month for 12 months in 4-CT’s first guaranteed income pilot. We believe that providing repeat, unconditional financial support for one year supports the stability necessary for individuals to pursue and achieve their personal goals – be they related to housing, employment, relationships, mental and/or physical health. Our participants are seeking to contribute to their communities and pursue the simple joys of freedom.
Despite having served their time, these members of our communities face a host of structural and social challenges reintegrating. With monthly financial support, our program gives them the autonomy and dignity to make decisions for themselves about how they rebuild their lives. We follow the journeys of this varied group of individuals, learning critical insights into improving economic and social supports for communities most impacted by mass incarceration.
The pilot, developed in partnership with the Project M.O.R.E. Reentry Welcome Center and the City of New Haven, is part of a larger effort to address the cycle of recidivism and reduce community violence in New Haven.
Each participant receives $500 of unconditional cash assistance each month for 12 months on a card that combines New Haven’s Elm City ID + prepaid Mastercard, developed in partnership with the City of New Haven, Mastercard’s Global Cities team and Usio.
4-CT provides cash assistance, which is funded entirely through philanthropy. Additionally, through quarterly interviews, surveys and analysis of spend data, 4-CT is evaluating the impact of the cash assistance on the employment status, housing security, family relationships, community engagement, mental health and recidivism rate of participants.
Press
Connecticut Public Radio – New Haven bets no strings attached $500 monthly payment will lower recidivism
WFSB – Program launched in New Haven to help those released from prison
Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra – Programa busca brindar nuevas oportunidades a ex-reclusos
Read more press about the Elm City Reentry Pilot here.
Partners
