Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia Announces Pilot "Universal Income Program" For Families In Need

August 25, 2020

Long Beach city leaders are considering a pilot "Universal Basic Income Program" to help the city’s most vulnerable residents.

As part of a pilot program in need residents who qualify would sign up to receive monthly cash payments to help with food, housing and to make ends meet during these unprecedented times. The program will be developed with a limited number of participants over the next few months.

Mayor Robert Garcia will roll out a universal income program as a pilot program for a select number of Long Beach residents - Photo Joe Raedle / Getty Images

The City is hiring an “equity officer” who would help manage the Universal Income project. If the pilot program is approved, Long Beach would join 14 other cities in testing out a new model to help some of the most vulnerable residents get back on their feet. Other participating Cities include Atlanta, Seattle, Newark, St. Paul, Oakland, Compton and Los Angeles.

The idea of a universal basic income became a mainstream topic by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who ran on a platform of providing a “freedom dividend” of $1,000 per month to every American adult to reduce inequality and allow people to pursue education, medical care and essential needs.

Details are still being worked out for who qualifies and how many families would benefit. Funds would come from private grants and independent foundations.

The Long Beach City Council will answer Mayor Robert Garcia's UBI (Universal Basic Income) proposal on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.