Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Long Beach Announces A Pilot Universal Basic Income Program
Sunset behind the Port of Long Beach
(
Q Speaks
/
LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
)
Long Beach has announced a guaranteed income pilot for people living in one of the city’s poorest areas. The program would give $500 a month to 500 single-parent families within the 90813 zip code for one year.
The median household income in 90813 is 25% lower than any other zip code in Long Beach.
The pilot would also provide services like free childcare and broadband internet. Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia says this assist will help participating families meet all of their basic needs, such as rent and food, and set them up for future success.
"Families in poverty [often] have to make really difficult choices," Garcia said. "We want to maximize their ability to help themselves and their families."
Support for LAist comes from
Garcia hopes that the results will also make the case for universal basic income programs around the country.
The program would give out around $3 million, with half of the families funded by the city and the other half receiving matching funds expected from the state’s new budget. The city will start accepting applications this summer and begin distributing payments by the end of the year.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist