First spherical of checks for South San Francisco program | Native Information
South San Francisco Mayor Mark Nagales held a news conference Wednesday to announce progress of the city’s Guaranteed Income Program — a pilot initiative that pays 160 residents $500 a month for a year with no strings attached.
“South San Francisco is not afraid to lead, today we lead by example,” Nagales said during the event. “As of today, 160 residents have received at least one full payment of $500.”
While several other cities across the country have launched similar programs, South San Francisco’s initiative is the first of its kind in the county.
One participant in the program, South San Francisco resident Janet Juarez, said through a translator that her family has experienced exceptional hardship during the pandemic and the financial support will help her meet basic needs. She also said she is grateful that the program is available and accessible to Latino families.
Recipients were selected earlier this year through a tiered lottery system, with priority given to supporting young people leaving care, single householders and those in the lowest income neighborhoods.
Guaranteed income programs pay residents unconditionally, without work requirements or other restrictions often associated with welfare systems.
The city will monitor recipient spending trends and the program’s overall effectiveness in reducing poverty throughout the year-long trial. Nagales said depending on the results, he hopes to get additional funding for expansion.
“The goals of this program are twofold, first, to provide immediate direct financial relief to our most vulnerable residents, and second, to learn from this pilot program whether Guaranteed Income is a sustainable and effective poverty reduction program,” Nagales said.
Funding comes from $1 million in federal pandemic aid, $100,000 from the county, and another $100,000 from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
In addition to cash, income earners will be offered financial counseling and other resources administered by the YMCA Community Resource Center, a resource center for the county administering the pilot.
The program was made available to undocumented and ex-prisoners.
“We’ve struggled as a society to deal with poverty for years, and we don’t have enough success to show that,” said San Mateo County Superintendent David Pine. “I commend Mayor Mark Nagales and the City of South San Francisco for their willingness to do so now.”
