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  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
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    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
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    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
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      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
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      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
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    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
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      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
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      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
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      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
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      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
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      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
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    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
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      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
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      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
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    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
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      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
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    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
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      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
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  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
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    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

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    • Entertainment

      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

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    • Getting Around

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    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

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    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

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    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

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  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

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      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

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    • Animals

      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

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    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

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    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

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    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
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      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
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    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
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      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
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    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
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      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
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      • Substance Abuse Services
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      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
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    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
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    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
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    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
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    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
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  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
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    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
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    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
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    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
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    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
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  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

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      The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

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      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

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      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

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FAQs About ARISE: The Guaranteed Income Pilot

Answers to frequently asked questions for residents interested in participating in ARISE and community partners.
Page updated on October 28, 2022 at 12:20 PM

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ARISE FAQs

What is ARISE and how is it funded?

Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), is the City of Alexandria’s guaranteed income pilot study. ARISE will give a $500.00 monthly payment to 170 participants for 24 months. Funding for ARISE comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in March 2021.

What is guaranteed income?

Guaranteed Income is a cash payment, provided monthly with “no strings attached” – meaning participants have the freedom to choose how to spend the money as they see fit.

Am I eligible to apply to be selected for the guaranteed income pilot in the City of Alexandria?

Eligibility criteria include:

  • City of Alexandria resident
  • 18 years and older
  • Household income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). Below is a chart showing 50 percent AMI by household size. If an applicant’s household is at or below the number listed for their household size, they are eligible to apply. Household income includes the total income for all household members 18 years and older. Income is money earned from working plus cash benefits such as SSI, SSDI, TANF, and Child Support.
    *Household defined as people who live together and share meals

Household Size*

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Annual Income

$49,850

 $56,950

$ 64,050

 $ 71,150

 $ 76,850

 $ 82,550

 $ 88,250

 $ 93,950

Monthly Income

$ 4,154

 $ 4,746

 $ 5,338

 $ 5,929

 $ 6,404

 $ 6,879

 $ 7,354

 $ 7,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Household Size*

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Annual Income

$99,610

 $105,302

 $110,994

$116,686

 $122,378

 $128,070

$133,762

 $139,454

Monthly Income

$ 8,300

 $ 8,775

 $ 9,250

 $ 9,725

 $ 10,200

 $ 10,671

 $ 11,146

 $ 11,621

There is no work or citizenship requirement.

 

 

How much money do participants receive?

Participants selected for the pilot will receive $500.00 monthly for 24 months.

How can I apply?

A link to the online application will be active October 31 at 9 a.m. EST through November 9, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. on the ARISE home page. There is no advantage to applying early. All qualified applications received will have an equal chance of being randomly selected.

What documents are required to apply?

There are no documents required at the time of application. The application will not require any documents to be uploaded or provided in any way.

How will residency be verified?

During the onboarding process, ARISE program staff will work with participants to verify residency. Participation will not be denied due to lack of paperwork to prove residency. Participants can sign a self-attestation, confirming they live where they say the live.

Why does the application ask personal questions?

The City of Alexandria is conducting a research study of ARISE to understand the impact cash payments to families with no strings attached has on wellbeing. Specifically, the City wants to understand what impact this monthly cash has on mental and physical health, employment, financial stability, food and housing security, a sense of hope and if there are children in the household, any impact on their outcomes. In order to know what impact the cash has, Abt Associates, the City’s research partner, must understand how participants feel about their wellbeing before receiving the cash. Thus, the application involves a baseline survey about the applicant’s wellbeing. Some questions may feel very personal. Questions can be skipped and as long as the application is submitted at the end of the survey, the application is considered complete.

When will participants be notified if they are selected or not?

The notification process will start December 1. Selected participants will be notified by phone, email and text, (as long as they provided contact information for each). They will need to respond within 14 days. If we do not hear back within 14 days, Abt Associates will randomly select someone else to participate. Due to this “rolling” notification process, people may not know until the end of December if they have been randomly selected to participate or not.

The best place to go for updates on the process is the ARISE website, where updates regarding the notification process will be posted. Once participants are notified, they will be given a one-on-one program onboarding where benefits counseling will be provided. ’

When will participants get their first cash payment and how does it work?

The first cash disbursements are scheduled to go out in the last week of January 2023. Information about dates will be posted here and communicated to potential participants and stakeholders as milestones are hit and the disbursement date is solidified. The City of Alexandria is partnering with MoCaFi as the financial distribution partner. MoCaFi will distribute the money on a debit-like card. Participants will not need to have a bank account. The card has impressive technology and participants will be able to access the cash in a variety of ways. Participants will get a full orientation of the card’s capabilities during onboarding.

When will I know and where can I go to understand how my existing benefits will be impacted?

People randomly selected to participate in ARISE will be given one-on-one benefits counseling where staff we be able to tell you exactly which benefits will be impacted and by how much. At that point, people will be given time to decide if they want to participate or not. If you are at all curious about guaranteed income and interested in applying, we encourage you to do so. You will receive one-on-one benefits counseling and you will have an opportunity to opt out of the ARISE program if you learn that it will not be a financial gain for you and your household. Due to limited staff capacity, benefits counseling will not be offered before or during the application process, only to those randomly selected to participate in ARISE.

Will participation in ARISE affect a participant’s existing public benefits?

It may impact some benefits. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has given the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services permission not to count the $500.00 cash payment as earned income and therefore it will not affect Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicaid and Child Care Subsidy.

On the other hand, the cash payment will be counted as income in the eligibility determination for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Social Security Insurance, and therefore will impact those benefits.  

Prospective participants will receive counseling regarding the impact the cash payments will have on all benefits. If prospective participants choose to participate, they will sign an Informed Consent stating that they understand the risk at the time of selection and enrollment into the program.

How will the ARISE payments affect federal "cash" benefits such as SSI, Veterans Pensions and the Child Tax Credit?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) the cash payment will impact social security benefits, specifically those who have an income cap. We are not aware of any impact on the Child Tax Credit nor veteran pensions.

 

Who will know if I am randomly selected to participate in the program?

Only Abt Associates, the City’s research partner, and ARISE program staff will know who has been selected. The City does not disclose participant names or information, it will be kept confidential. It is also not entered into any City or State database. It is up to the participant to decide who the tell if they are randomly selected to participate.

Will participants need to claim this money on their taxes as income?

No; the guaranteed income cash payment will be recognized as a “gift” on tax returns, rather than income. As a result, participants will not be required to pay taxes on this money and there will be no additional tax forms to fill out as a result of getting this money.

Will this be available to any Alexandria resident regardless of immigration status?

Yes, people are eligible to apply regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Do you have information whether this would impact (or has impacted in other programs) the public charge determination for immigration status?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is no longer applying the August 2019 Public Charge Final Rule which was introduced during the Trump Administration and expanded the range of benefits and other factors immigration officials could consider under the rule. Instead, USCIS has returned to applying the rule based on the 1999 public charge interim field guidance. This means that receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or federally subsidized housing no longer impacts applications for lawful permanent resident (green card) status. Therefore, cash payments made through ARISE also would not impact applications for lawful permanent resident status.

Who will see the information I provide in the application?

Only the City’s research partner, Abt Associates will see information provided by applicants in the application. The online application is done on their technological platform and they do not share specific information with the City. If you are not chosen to participate in either the participant group or the control group, your data will be erased by Abt.

Can I leave the application before I have completed it and come back to it later?

 If you provide an email address in your application, you can leave your application part way through completing it and come back to it at a later time. If you do not provide an email address, you must complete the application in one sitting. In addition, if you do provide an email address, you will not receive the link immediately; rather, links are sent out twice a day, in the morning (around 9 am) and in the evening (around 4 or 5 pm). The link will be sent by Abt Associates, not the City of Alexandria.  

How are participants selected?

170 participants will be randomly selected by Abt Associates, the City’s research partner, by a computer application. As long as you qualify for the program and you successfully submit an application, you will have an equal chance as everyone else who qualifies and has submitted an application to be randomly selected. It does not matter where in the City you live, what your demographic information might be, when you submitted the application within the application period, or if you had help completing the application. It is like a lottery drawing, everyone who qualifies and has submitted an application has an equal chance at being randomly selected.

Is there a minimum income requirement to be eligible to apply for ARISE?

No, there is no minimum income requirement and no work requirement.

What happens if a household’s income becomes stable or exceeds income guidelines at any point during the pilot?

Such a scenario would not impact an individual or household’s enrollment in the pilot over the course of the 24-month program period. Once a person meets the initial eligibility, the cash is unconditional.

If you are a tax filer, can you still apply?

Yes.

Do you have to be 18 years of age or older to apply?

Yes, you must be 18 years of age or older to apply, as of the day of your application.

Would someone with 100% disability be able to apply for this program?

Yes.

Is there a paper option or other opportunity to apply for those with limited internet access?

No, paper applications will not be available. Applications will be electronic only. The application is designed to be “mobile first,” meaning if you have a smart phone, you should be able to fill it out just fine. No uploading of documents will be required.

If you do not have access to the internet or technology, there will be several sites/locations around the City for people to access internet and technology to complete and submit an application. Those sites will be publicized in advance of the application process on this website and through community partners.

Why is it being called a pilot “study?”

The City of Alexandria will be working with a research and evaluation firm, Abt Associates, who will be conducting an evaluation of the impact of receiving $500 a month on financial stability and wellbeing in participants’ lives. Because this is a study, applicants will be asked a series of personal questions in the application about their current finances, physical and mental health, employment and family lives. This survey may take applicants between 45 minutes – 1 hour to complete.

Because this is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluation, in addition to randomly selecting 170 participants to receive the $500 cash payment, researchers will also randomly select 210 people to be in the control group. The control group will be asked, and given a small cash incentive, to fill out surveys during the pilot so that the researchers can evaluate how the lives of participants receiving the cash payments are different in comparison to the lives of the control group who are not receiving the cash payments. Those differences can be attributed to the $500 monthly cash payment. That is how the impact of the money will be measured

What is the City hoping to achieve through this pilot study?

The City is hoping to learn how a regular cash disbursement can impact the economic stability and well being of residents, when they are able to make their own decisions about how to spend the money. Any change in participants’ financial, physical or mental health and other quality of life indicators will allow us to understand how the money will impact people's lives.

What is the idea behind a guaranteed income?

Research from projects across the country has shown that guaranteed income is an effective way to combat several factors that are stifling economic mobility – the coronavirus pandemic and its immediate and long-term economic fallout -- and longstanding systemic racism. Over the last five years, the median income in the City of Alexandria has increased, yet the poverty rate stayed the same. This is why the City is pursuing a guaranteed income pilot. Known as Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), Alexandria’s guaranteed income pilot gives participants more freedom, dignity, and self-determination to make choices for their financial well-being. The research shows that when given unrestricted payments, participants can create economic stability for themselves and their families. Direct financial supports have also been found to improve health, education, and child welfare outcomes. The pilot will be run by the City’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS).

Why Alexandria and why now?

Data from the United Way shows that for a family of four to cover basic costs of living in Alexandria, (basic costs for this calculation include: housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, smart phone, miscellaneous and taxes) a family must make at least $101,076 annually. United Way calculates that thirty-seven percent of households in Alexandria live below the threshold necessary to meet their basic needs. The United Way terms this population ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE is comprised of our caregivers, healthcare providers, educators, service industry workers, entrepreneurs, Uber drivers and more. They are also disproportionately people of color and have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

With racial equity a key priority for the City, the Guaranteed Income Pilot study allows the City an important opportunity to learn how financial security, mental and physical health, labor market participation, child outcomes and food and housing stability are impacted when people have the opportunity to cover their basic costs while making their own decisions about how an additional $500 each month can improve the wellness of themselves and their family.

of life indicators will allow us to understand how the money impacts peoples’ lives.

How can I learn more about the pilot?

The City of Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and ACT for Alexandria will keep the community informed on any future community partner meetings and general community information sessions. You can sign up for email enews updates here[

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