The Yolo County Basic Income Project (YOBI) is an experimental two-year intervention that provides monthly financial support to low-income families in Yolo County with the goal of lifting them above the poverty level in California. Specifically designed for families with young children or expecting parents, YOBI seeks to reduce stress associated with meeting basic needs to promote healthier and more financially stable families. Through collaborations between Yolo County Health and Human Services, First 5 Yolo, other community agencies, and researchers from UC Davis, including members of the DESC Lab, preliminary findings show a 29% decrease in depression among mothers facing poverty, increases in mother-child library visits, and a reduction in economic hardship after less than a year of payments. These early results show the potential for basic income programs to reduce financial stress and improve mental health.
