Family Economic Policy Lab

     As year 2 of HudsonUP’s first cohort comes to a close, it is time to look back on our successes.   With 25 participants spanning across the small city of Hudson, New York, the pilot proved not only beneficial to its recipients, but influential for further research into the effectiveness of universal basic income (UBI) in struggling communities. HudsonUP provides $500 a month for 5 years to 25 low income residents, unconditionally. A second cohort of 50 participants were added in Fall of 2021. In Hudson’s community, 23% of residents live in poverty. That’s twice the national average. This 5 year pilot is unique since it allows for the analysis of UBI’s long-term effects. Quantitative and qualitative data is collected from participants twice per year.      When the pilot began, 29% participants held full time or part time employment. At the close of year 1, 63% of participants were working either full time or part time jobs. This jump in employment can be attributed to more job open