Oakland's guaranteed income pilot program, initiated in 2021 by then-Mayor Libby Schaaf, provided 300 low-income families with unconditional cash payments of $500 monthly, funded entirely by private donations. A report from the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Guaranteed Income Research revealed that participating families experienced improvements in various aspects, including education, housing security, employment, and mental health. The initiative counters the misconception that cash assistance discourages work, as highlighted by Schaaf's comments. As the city faces financial issues, the future of this program remains uncertain, raising questions about its continuation and potential impact.
"This is really counter to the harmful narrative that so many critics use - this falsehood that giving people money will make them stop working. It is the exact opposite."
"The cash transfers made a difference for the families that received them. Participants reported improvements in their children's educational outcomes, housing security, employment, and mental health."
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