Cash transfers and peer support for families in homeless shelters
Growing Strong Study of Unconditional Cash Transfers Plus Voluntary Peer Support to Reduce Shelter Stays and Improve Family Well-being for Families With Babies in New York City Homeless Shelters
This study is testing whether giving families with young children in homeless shelters $1,500 a month along with peer support helps them feel better and leave the shelter faster compared to families who only get $50 a month without support.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Vanderbilt University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT06323967 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The Growing Strong program aims to assist families with young children living in homeless shelters by providing unconditional cash gifts and voluntary peer support. Families residing in the Women in Need (Win) shelter system will be divided into two groups: one receiving $1,500 per month for 24 months along with peer support, and the other receiving $50 per month without peer support. This quasi-experimental design seeks to evaluate the impact of these cash transfers on family well-being and shelter exit rates. The study focuses on families with at least one child under two years of age, recognizing their unique challenges and needs.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are families with at least one child under two years old who are currently residing in a designated Win homeless shelter in New York City.
Not a fit: Families without children under two years old or those not residing in the designated Win shelters may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the financial stability and overall well-being of families experiencing homelessness.
How similar studies have performed: While there are several direct cash transfer studies, this specific approach targeting families in homeless shelters is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Note that New York City has a right to shelter. When a family applies for shelter, the City assigns them to a shelter temporarily while City workers determine whether the family is truly homeless. If so, the City will deem the family "eligible" for shelter. If not, the family must leave. Inclusion Criteria: * A family has been found "eligible" for shelter (as described above) within the past 30 days * The family has a baby who meets the age criteria (under 2 years of age) * There is an adult 18 or over who has custody of the child (typically the mother) * The family speaks English or Spanish * The family lives in a designated Win shelter Exclusion Criteria: * None: any family configuration is permissible
Where this trial is running
New York, New York
- Win NYC Shelter System — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Marybeth Shinn, PhD — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Marybeth Shinn, PhD
- Email: beth.shinn@vanderbilt.edu
- Phone: 615 322-8735
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.