Basic income pilot for youth leaving foster care
Pilot a basic income program for youth aging out of foster or group care to reduce risks of homelessness and justice involvement and support youth of color.
English title and summary written with AI from the resident's text.
The resident's idea, as submitted
The idea
Boston should pilot a basic income program for youth aging out of foster/group care. Nationally, 20% of these youth face homelessness and 25% become involved in the justice system. Similar pilots exist in L.A., San Francisco, and Maryland .
Who it helps and why
This program advances racial equity by supporting youth of color, who are overrepresented in foster care and face higher risks of poverty and criminalization. Direct cash assistance helps counter systemic barriers, promotes stability, and creates space for self-determination during a critical transition to adulthood.
Details
- Cycle
- 2025–26
- Submitted
- July 1, 2025
- Neighborhood
- City-wide
- Portal category
- Education, Youth & Families
- How it was submitted
- Individual submission
- Submission language
- English
Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text.
The same need in other cycles
City-wide ideas in Youth programs & schools from the other cycles, up to 3 from each.
2026–27 (87 matching)
- Easier after-school vouchers for low-income single mothersResident asks for easier access to vouchers for after-school programs for single and low-income mothers, to help those who are working or looking for work.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Expand children's museum programsExpand programs offered by children's museums.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Improve school facilitiesImprove the condition of school facilities.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
2024–25 (59 matching)
- Weekend hours at BCYF community centersResident asks for BCYF centers to open on weekends so youth and families can use them, saying current programming skews toward seniors.2024–25City-wide
- Fund youth hockeyResident asks for funding for youth hockey to make the sport more accessible and inclusive for underrepresented communities.2024–25City-wide
- Supervised evening socials for young teensResident asks community centers to host early evening supervised social events with music and activities for young teens, since schools offer few and suburbs provide them.2024–25City-wide