Building Roots, Building Security: How Guaranteed Micro-Income Can Anchor Communities and Prevent Homelessness

 

Photo Credit: Tulane University

When we think about homelessness, we often picture tents, shelters, or encampments. But what if the real solution begins before someone loses their housing - by helping people feel financially and socially anchored in their own communities?

A growing number of cities are testing guaranteed micro-income programs, small, consistent cash payments that help people cover basic needs and plan ahead. Unlike traditional assistance, these funds come without conditions or bureaucratic barriers.

In Stockton, California, a guaranteed income pilot gave 125 residents $500 a month for two years. Recipients reported “less anxiety and stress, and an easier time securing full-time employment” among other positive effects (Penn Today, 2023).

This simple idea of financial grounding can ripple outward. When people can rely on even a modest income, they’re more likely to stay connected to work, neighbors, and shared spaces. This connection is sometimes called community anchoring, a concept about belonging to a network of mutual care and reciprocity. As author and community activist Mia Birdsong notes in her interview with Family Story Project, “We are in an abusive relationship with our country and I hope that more of us get the courage and support we need so we can choose something different.”

Community anchoring and guaranteed income work together like roots and soil. The income provides the nutrients, stability and dignity, while the community provides structure and meaning. When combined, they can stop the slide into homelessness before it starts. Imagine if every neighborhood had its own version of a local safety net: residents supporting one another, small stipends preventing eviction, and local centers fostering connection.

So why should we care? Because when we strengthen the roots of community, we save more than just homes, we save people from the trauma of disconnection. Stable communities cost less to support, are healthier, and build a sense of shared purpose.

If you believe housing should start with security, not scarcity, take a moment to learn more about guaranteed income projects that are reshaping lives across the U.S. Click here to explore guaranteed income pilot programs and research.

References

Birdsong, M. (2020, June 8). Q&A with Mia Birdsong, author of How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community. Family Story Project. https://familystoryproject.org/qa-with-mia-birdsong-author-of-how-we-show-up-reclaiming-family-friendship-and-community/

Economic Security Project. (n.d.). Guaranteed income: A primer for funders. https://economicsecurityproject.org/resource/funder-primer/

Hammen, C., & West, S. (2023, May 17). Guaranteed income improved people’s health during the pandemic. Penn Today. University of Pennsylvania. https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/guaranteed-income-improved-peoples-health-during-pandemic

Tulane University School of Public Health. (2024, April 14). People working together in a community garden [Image]. In Public health benefits of community gardens. Tulane University. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/benefits-of-community-gardens/