South San Francisco, Ca January 14, 2021 Press Release
Vice Mayor Nagales to tackle income insecurity by providing qualified residents with a guaranteed monthly sum of money
At last night’s South San Francisco City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Mark Nagales proposed the City consider a Universal Basic Income pilot program in an effort to help local residents who can’t afford the basic cost of living expenses because they have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So many people are hurting because of COVID. Residents are making the difficult decision to either pay for their rent, their food, or their medicine,” said South San Francisco Vice Mayor Nagales. “I would like the Council to establish a pilot program using Universal Basic Income to help our residents.”
Universal Basic Income (UBI) will provide a flat monthly cash payment to qualified residents with the goal of reducing income inequality. The cash payment is most effective because it is fast, flexible, and fills the gaps that other assistance programs are missing. Vice Mayor Nagales asked staff to research appropriate qualifications, payment amount, program length, and review potential revenue streams to fund UBI through a combination of City funds, grants, and private or corporate donations.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has labeled South San Francisco as a community of concern in our County.
- The City of South San Francisco has higher rates of youth living in households below the poverty level when compared to the County;
- Five schools in South San Francisco are Title 1 schools;
- In the 2019-2020 school year, 43.7 percent of students were socioeconomically disadvantaged;
- In the 2019-2020 school year, 38.3 percent were eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Meals in the South San Francisco school district;
- South San Francisco has the third-highest unemployment rate in the County (6.6 percent);
- Since March 2020, 70 percent of rental assistance requests made to the YMCA (which serves as a County core agency for South San Francisco, Brisbane, and San Bruno) came from South San Francisco households
“Our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet, and for many of them, an uncertain future lies ahead,” said Vice Mayor Nagales. “I’m directing staff to study how we can implement Universal Basic Income in our city to help those who have been financially affected by COVID.”
The concept of UBI is nothing new, but lately, there is renewed momentum to address a wealth gap that’s widening. “We need to provide a financial program that allows people to make decisions about what works best for their family, and implementing a Universal Basic Income program will do just that,” said Vice Mayor Nagales.
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COMMENTS
I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with this insane idea of giving people free money. When people are given things for doing nothing, it is never fully appreciated as I learned when I was about 3-4 years of age. I don’t know what generation you’re from Vice Mayor Mark but I know only an entitled individual with some sort of guilt complex would think of a crazy idea like this. I learned about this from the “Everythingsouthcity” website. In this same web article Sheetmetal Local 104 is hosting an apprenticeship seminar. Maybe work is the answer to income inequality? – Adrian Simi
the BIG question, IS HOW IS THE CITY
GOING TO PAY FOR THIS WELFARE
PROGRAM? – Mel Perry
GOING TO PAY FOR THIS WELFARE
PROGRAM? – Mel Perry
I’m glad the vice Mayor wants to help lower income residents during these hard times
I don’t know how anyone could be upset about this and helping their struggling neighbors. Personally I am doing just fine and would not qualify for this, but I know many people can barely afford to live here because of increased cost of living. This is a great idea, ignore the angry boomers.
This will prove to be a lifeline for our poor residents. Many of who have lost jobs because of the pandemic. I am very excited that our city will look into this and support the most vulnerable among us. My biggest worry is that disabled people on SSI won’t be able to benefit.
I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with this insane idea of giving people free money. When people are given things for doing nothing, it is never fully appreciated as I learned when I was about 3-4 years of age. I don’t know what generation you’re from Vice Mayor Mark but I know only an entitled individual with some sort of guilt complex would think of a crazy idea like this. I learned about this from the “Everythingsouthcity” website. In this same web article Sheetmetal Local 104 is hosting an apprenticeship seminar. Maybe work is the answer to income inequality?
the BIG question, IS HOW IS THE CITY
GOING TO PAY FOR THIS WELFARE
PROGRAM?