Guaranteed Income Program Coming To South San Francisco

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — South San Francisco became the first city in San Mateo County to approve a guaranteed income program, which will provide over 135 eligible families with $500 a month for 12 months.

The program, unanimously approved by the city council at a meeting Wednesday, will prioritize foster youth transitioning out of care, single head of households, families with minor-aged children and residents in the city’s lowest-income census tracks.

In total, $1 million from American Rescue Plan funds will be allotted to eligible households, according to South San Francisco Vice Mayor Mark Nagales. A lottery system will be implemented if there are more than 135 applications received. The program is expected to launch in mid-October.

“It’s our hope that by implementing this program, we will provide many of our lowest-income residents the chance to grow their skill sets and provide economic security now and for future generations,” Nagales said.

As of 2017, more than 43 percent of renters in South San Francisco are cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs. Between 400 and 900 households in the city are currently behind on rent largely due to the impact of COVID-19, according to city staff.

“Many residents will undoubtedly be helped, especially those most impacted by COVID,” Councilmember James Coleman said in a tweet. “My hope is that this program can add to the research of [universal basic income], and be used to inform a truly universal national or statewide program that everyone can benefit from.”

South San Francisco officials have also met with officials with the city of Mountain View, which is considering a guaranteed income program. The Mountain View City Council has set aside $1 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan for a guaranteed income program that it is expected to launch in 2022.

“Our hope is that the South San Francisco Guaranteed Income Program will leave participants better off economically in the end than when they started,” Nagales said.