income | ALXnow

Evaluator finds Alexandria guaranteed income pilot improved mental wellbeing and financial stability for participants

Published December 19, 2024 at 11:45AM

Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles/ALXnow)

While $500 a month may not have been enough to bring participants out of poverty, an assessment of the city’s guaranteed income pilot program found that it had a substantial impact on participants.

The program, labelled Alexandria’s Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE) in a bit of a backronym, was funded in 2021 for $3 million out of the American Rescue Plan Act. The program gave 170 low-income Alexandria residents $500 per month for 24 months to assess the impact it would have on their lives. In June, the program recieved another $550,000 from the City Council to extend the program to June 2025.

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Six months in, Alexandria’s guaranteed income pilot is helping locals with the necessities

By Vernon Miles

Published August 29, 2023 at 1:45PM

Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles/ALXnow)

Six months in, participants in a new guaranteed income pilot aren’t diving into pools of money; it’s just helping them tread water a little easier.

While there aren’t restrictions on what the money can be used for, Economic Mobility Program Officer Julie Mullen said most of the money distributed in the city’s ARISE Guaranteed Income Pilot is helping those in need with basic necessities.

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Notes: Fairfax County launches new guaranteed income pilot program

By ALXnow.com

Published August 17, 2023 at 8:40AM

Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles/ALXnow)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

⛅️ Today’s weather: There is a 20% chance of brief showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, with mostly sunny weather and a high of 89°F. Light winds will shift from east to south in the morning. On Thursday night, the chance of showers continues with partly cloudy skies, a low of 73°F, and southwest winds around 8-10 mph.

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Alexandria’s guaranteed income pilot program delayed

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2021 at 11:00AM

Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles/ALXnow)

Earlier this year, the City of Alexandria dedicated some of its American Rescue Plan Act funding to a program that would guarantee a basic income, but now one of the non-profits working on the pilot said it’s hit some delays with no estimate of when the pilot will start.

The pilot program is now called, in a sort of transparent backronym, Alexandria’s Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE). It will focus on 150 families who will receive a $500 monthly cash payment for 24 months, with no strings attached on its use. Eligibility has been set at 50% of the area median income or below.

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Alexandria opens up on details for new guaranteed basic income program

By Vernon Miles

Published August 9, 2021 at 3:40PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

One of the most high-profile uses of American Rescue Plan funding in Alexandria is the city’s foray into providing a guaranteed basic income for some of the city’s lowest-income residents. At a meeting today (Monday), leadership of the program shared new information about how the program will work.

Kate Garvey, director of the department of community and human service, outlined the basics of the program in a Zoom meeting today.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria among areas with highest median income in Virginia — “According to a recent study by SmartAsset, residents in Alexandria are among the highest earners in Virginia. The analysis was completed as part of the company’s study on the places with the most purchasing power, and cost of living was factored into the calculations.” [Alexandria Living]

Target, Walmart, BJ’s, Costco: Virginia stores end masks for vaccinated — “BJ’s Wholesale Club, Starbucks, Costco, Sam’s Club, and Trader Joe’s will also no longer require masks inside stores. Initially, Target and Walmart had been among numerous establishments in a holding pattern after last week’s announcements.” [Patch]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published February 18, 2020 at 8:00AM | Updated February 18, 2020 at 8:33AM

George and Martha Washington wave at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 17, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Still No Motive for Student Accused of Double Homicide — “George Ivan Maertens Aramayo said police have not told him why his daughter, 19, and Bianda, 21, were killed. He is not familiar with Mohamed Aly, the 18-year-old from Alexandria who is facing two first-degree murder charges. Aly attended T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, where friends say he was a strong student and athlete hoping to play college football.” [Washington Post]

APD Testing Electric Parking Enforcement Vehicle — “APD’s Parking Enforcement Unit conducted a test of an electric GO-4 vehicle today. Pictured is Parking Enforcement Officer Ms. Fuller, who has operated the GO-4 type vehicle for the last 23 years.” [Twitter]