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Resolution approving the creation of South San Francisco’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program and approving budget amendment number 22.011 appropriating $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
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WHEREAS, South San Francisco remains one of the most diverse cities in the region. Historically a working-class city with a large Italian immigrant population, South San Francisco now welcomes immigrants from Latin America, Asia, and all over the world. Approximately 80% of households in South San Francisco are households of color and 58% of residents speak a language other than English at home; and
WHEREAS, poverty disproportionately affects our most vulnerable populations - children and families of color. The majority of our Latinx community lives in the two lowest income census tracts in South San Francisco, in the Downtown and Old Town neighborhoods. The Latinx community in South San Francisco consists of many frontline and service industry workers who have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) labeled South San Francisco as a Community of Concern. A diverse city with pockets of low income, high need neighborhoods vulnerable to displacement, many families struggle to meet basic needs due to the high cost of living and low wages; and
WHEREAS, the City Council stepped up in big ways to provide financial and other assistance for our residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. As emergency shelter-in-place orders were put in place and businesses shuttered, residents struggled to meet the basic needs of their families including rent, food security, employment, and remote learning. The City provides a multi-pronged approach to attempt to address our community’s needs as well as contributors to and impacts of poverty; and
WHEREAS, Guaranteed Income is a tool implemented in other communities that the City Council desires to evaluate as part of the City’s multi-pronged approach to addressing the community’s financial needs, including combatting poverty, and as a response to the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The monthly support received by residents hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic may reduce the income volatility many households face, allowing them the opportunity to find full time employment and pursue training. As demonstrated in Stockton, Guaranteed Income alleviates financial scarcity creating new opportunities for self-determination, choice, goal setting, and risk taking; and
WHEREAS, the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program will use $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan funds. The City Council previously set aside $2 million of American Rescue Plan funds during the budget process for this program, but only $1,000,000 are being appropriated initially for the Pilot Program; and
WHEREAS, Guaranteed Income is not a singular solution to poverty, but a part of a larger plan to help alleviate poverty for our poorest and most vulnerable residents. Coupled with the City’s existing anti-poverty approaches related to job training, guaranteed income presents hope for our residents to remediate some of the contributors to and impacts of poverty and to provide them some additional financial security they need.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of South San Francisco that the City Council hereby approves the creation of South San Francisco’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, as described in the staff report that accompanied this resolution at the City Council’s meeting on July 14, 2021, appropriates $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Pilot Program, and approves budget amendment number 22.011.
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