– Ingrid Sullivan used cash from the San Antonio guaranteed basic-income program to rent a home for her grandchildren
– Monique Gonzalez moved her family out of a San Antonio motel using the basic income
– Jarun Laws in Denver used basic income to pay rent and buy food
Ingrid Sullivan, 48, used her cash from the San Antonio guaranteed basic-income program to rent a home where her grandchildren can play in the yard. Similarly, Monique Gonzalez, 41, was able to move her family out of a San Antonio motel thanks to the program. Another participant, Jarun Laws, 51, from Denver, used his basic income to pay rent and buy food, finally feeling a sense of relief.
Guaranteed basic income (GBI) has gained traction as a poverty-solving strategy in over 50 US cities since 2019, offering low-income individuals between $100 and $1,000 a month with no strings attached for a specific time period. Participants are able to spend the money on their most pressing needs such as housing, groceries, transportation, and debt repayment, giving them a sense of control and choice over their finances.
These programs typically benefit individuals living below the federal poverty line, with some initiatives targeting specific groups like new mothers, households with children, and the homeless. Despite facing opposition from Republican lawmakers who view GBI as “socialist” and discouraging work, basic income pilots have been completed in various states including Arizona, Alabama, Virginia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, and Washington, DC.
Though challenges persist at the legislative level – such as a GBI ban in Iowa and temporary blocks in states like Texas – basic-income programs continue to be active and beneficial in providing financial support to low-income residents nationwide.