Philly Plain Dealer

Xiente, a 40-year-old non-profit focused on empowering families to achieve economic mobility, launched a new 14-month guaranteed income pilot program to move ten families from poverty to prosperity. The program offers participants a monthly payment of $500 that can be spent however the family pleases.

“We launched a pilot for guaranteed basic income for 10 families that are receiving affordable housing,” explained Xiente CEO Dr. Michelle Carrera Morales. Morales explained that this pilot program is part of Xiente’s broader “Prosperity Project” and the intended goal is to move families from poverty to the middle class.

The 14-month period began in November 2024 and ends in early 2026. “All ten families are in Philadelphia, most of them are in affordable housing provided by Xiente.” The results of this pilot program will be analyzed by Penn and released in a study in early 2027.

The ten families are also given a personal economic mobility coach who helps participants meet their desired economic goals. They are given access to social services such as financial training, digital training, job search assistance, educational options, and a HUD housing coach.

Xiente, formerly known as the Norris Square Community Alliance, was founded in 1980 in North Philadelphia. “In 1980 this was a mainly Puerto Rican neighborhood, so a lot of the founders were Puerto Rican and that’s why we have a strong Latino influence and a lot of the staff is Latino,” said Morales.

This guaranteed income pilot involves an unconditional cash transfer that provides individuals and families with consistent financial support. According to Xiente, the funds are unconditional because their “approach is rooted in dignity and trust, recognizing that families know best how to meet their own needs.”

In 2027 the results of the pilot program will be published for all to see the effects of a guaranteed basic income.