The Howard County Government announced on Aug. 12 that it would be launching a program that will provide a guaranteed $1,000 a month in income to 20 Howard County families for 12 months.
The pilot program is based on several studies, including Open Research’s Unconditional Cash Study, which found that on a no-strings-attached income plan, families achieved greater financial stability, had reduced stress and were able to be more present for their children.
“Data indicates that families who participate in GBI programs experience reduced financial volatility and increased capacity to pay for core expenses such as food, rent, and transportation, while planning for the future,” Howard County Senior Executive Calvin Ball wrote in a press release. “Howard County’s GBI pilot program stands at the forefront of this movement, using local community partners and data-informed research to create new pathways for economic mobility.”
The Community Action Council of Howard County identified 292 families in Howard County as potential participants earlier this year.
The group then analyzed further and found 90 eligible families who then submitted proof of residency, income and household demographics weekly. Then in June the eligible families were chosen, entered into a lottery to randomly determine which 20 families were selected, and required to submit all remaining paperwork confirming eligibility.
For a family to be eligible, they had to be Howard County residents, have at least one child in the house under the age of 18, be a current client of CAC’s programs like housing assistance, not currently on an income-based housing voucher or housing subsidy, and have a household income between 150% to 300% of the Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Poverty Limit, according to the press release.
“The 20 participating families reside in Columbia, Laurel, Elkridge, and Savage, with household sizes ranging from two to five people. All participating families have children with an age range of infants up to 17 years old,” the release said.
The program was funded by a $750,000 nonprofit grant given to the CAC in the Howard County 2025 budget. The pilot program is estimated to cost $250,000 and the results of the first year will determine if there is to be extension and expansion of the program.
CAC hopes that the pilot program demonstrates that providing “unrestricted economic assistance” to families will help keep them out of poverty and remain securely housed, increase household income, create a savings surplus, improve financial skills, gain connection to higher education or job skills, become more connected to the community and pay all expenses in a timely manner.
“This pilot is a powerful example of what’s possible when community organizations, local government, and families come together to address real challenges with practical, people-first solutions. By meeting families where they are and providing the flexibility to respond to their unique needs, we’re demonstrating how partnership, trust, and shared responsibility can help strengthen household stability and community well-being,” said Tonya Aikens,
vice chair of the CAC board of directors and president and CEO of the Howard County Library System.
