California city to guarantee cash payments for some low-income residents

A California city is rolling out a pilot program that will guarantee a basic income to some low-income families in the area, according to a recent press release.

Compton, Calif., created the Compton Pledge, a guaranteed income program in which families will be allotted cash payments for two years, beginning in late 2020, the Monday release states.

“People in our community are going through tough times, and I know that guaranteed income could give people a moment to navigate their situation, and have some breathing room to go back to school, explore a new career path, spend time with their children, or improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. Ensuring all people are able to live with dignity is something we should all strive for in America,” Compton Mayor Aja Brown (D) said in the press release.

The Compton Pledge is designed to “challenge the racial and economic injustice plaguing both welfare programs and economic systems,” according to the release.

“Guaranteed income is an urgent and necessary strategy for addressing the economic realities of racial injustice. I’m thrilled Mayor Brown and Compton are leading the way in this growing national movement,” Patrisse Cullors, an advocate of the Compton Pledge and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, said in the release.

The program will aid a group of pre-selected low-income Compton residents and provide them with cash payments between $300 and $600 over a two-year period, CNN reported.

Nearly $2.5 million in funds for the program have been provided by private donors through the Fund for Guaranteed Income, which is headed by Nika Soon-Shiong, daughter of Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong. Compton’s Community Development Corporation will distribute the funds to participating residents, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The supplemental aid comes at a time when many Americans are struggling financially due to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Congress is currently working towards an agreement to provide Americans with financial relief.