New York City has launched a new initiative called ‘Cash with Care’ aimed at helping young people facing housing insecurity by providing direct financial support and resources to stabilise their lives.
The program is designed to assist a selected group of vulnerable youth between the ages of 18 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing situations.
What is the ‘Cash with Care’ program?
Under the Cash with Care program, each participant will receive $1,200 per month for nine months, providing a reliable source of income that can be used to cover essential needs such as food, utilities, rent, transportation and other basic expenses, The US Sun reported.
In addition to the monthly payments, participants are eligible for a one-time payment of $5,000, which can be accessed at any point during the program to help cover larger or unexpected costs, including security deposits or moving expenses.
The initiative is a joint effort between the New York City Council and Covenant House New York (CHNY), a non-profit organisation that works with homeless youth.
Funding for the program comes from $1.5 million allocated from the city’s federal budget, reflecting an investment in addressing youth homelessness and housing instability.
Program sponsors and city leaders said Cash with Care is not only intended to provide immediate financial relief but to create pathways toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
CHNY will monitor participants’ outcomes during and after the program, tracking indicators such as improvements in housing status, food security and debt reduction to evaluate the effectiveness of the support model.
City officials, including Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, have emphasised the broader goals of the program, noting that guaranteed income initiatives can be effective in helping people secure stable housing and maintain essential needs, particularly for those who lack other forms of support. Council Member Crystal Hudson, who sponsored the legislation enabling the program, highlighted that the funds aim to give recipients the stability needed to secure permanent housing and meet basic living costs.
60 New Yorkers to be selected for program initially
Only 60 young New Yorkers will be selected for the first cohort of the Cash with Care program, making it a targeted pilot effort rather than a broad universal benefit.
