Arlington, Virginia, gave $500 to low-income families no strings attached. It helped them catch up on bills, but many still struggle to afford housing.

• Arlington’s Guarantee, a guaranteed income program, helped participants secure better jobs and pay off debts.
• While the program was largely beneficial, participants still faced housing insecurity.
• Still, nearly all participants reported feeling better off at the end of the program.

Participants of a guaranteed income program in a city outside Washington, DC, said they obtained better-paying jobs and paid off debts — though many went into more debt paying for housing.