Cash Transfers for People Experiencing Homelessness

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Homelessness; Personal Satisfaction
• Interventions: Behavioral: Cash transfer

• Registration Number: NCT05372978
• Lead Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Brief Summary

The primary goal of the study is to determine the impacts of a one-time unconditional cash transfer on the well-being of people experiencing homelessness.

Detailed Description

The goal of this project is to examine the effect of cash-transfers for people experiencing homelessness in Metro Vancouver. In partnership with Foundations for Social Change, we will distribute a one-time unconditional cash transfer of $8,500 to each of the 200 participants, with 200 additional participants in a control group who will not receive the cash transfer. To evaluate the effect of the cash transfer, participants will complete surveys 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the cash transfer, and we will track important life outcomes such as housing, employment, health, cognitive function, and well-being.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2022-05
• Study Start: 2022-05-02
• Study First Submitted: 2022-05-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-05-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-05-09
• Study First Posted: 2022-05-13
• Last Update Posted: 2022-05-13
• Primary Completion: 2023-12
• Study Completion: 2023-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 400

Inclusion Criteria

1. Participants must be homeless at the time of recruitment.
2. Participants must be between 18 and 65 years of age, inclusive.
3. Participants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada

Exclusion Criteria

The following participants will be excluded:

1. Participants who report severe problematic substance use (score ≥ 6 on DAST).
2. Participants who report severe problematic alcohol use (score ≥ 20 on AUDIT).
3. Participants who report severe psychiatric symptoms (score above 2 on item 5 or above 4 on items 13 or 14 on CSI).
4. Participants who report problematic gambling behavior (score ≥ 8 on PGSI).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cash	Cash transfer	Participants will receive a one-time unconditional cash transfer of $8,500 CAD.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Stable housing	1-3 months	Number of days spent in stable housing.
Total Spending	1-3 months	Amount of money spent on regular and one-time purchases.
Spending on Rent	1-3 months	Amount of money spent on rent.
Savings	1-3 months	Total value of financial assets.
Spending on temptation goods	1-3 months	Amount of money spent on temptation goods, such as drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.
Homelessness	1-3 months	Number of days spent homeless.
Cost of shelter use	1-3 months	Estimated societal cost of shelter use based on number of days staying in shelter

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of British Columbia; 🇨🇦 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada