LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and co-authored by Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, to create a first of its kind countywide Poverty Alleviation Policy Agenda and Guaranteed Income Pilot Program. This pilot will provide at minimum of 1000 residents up to $1,000 a month for three years.

“Creating an equitable recovery from COVID-19 requires intentional investments in our most vulnerable communities to help end the symptoms of poverty, such as homelessness that have worsened due to the pandemic,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell “This is about effectively providing economic security for our residents who need the support. I commend the Board for making poverty alleviation a priority.”

“Guaranteed basic income can have deeply profound and positive impacts for low income families, providing stability and the means to pay bills, pursue additional education, and take better care of their health,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “Combined with local city efforts, LA County will host, in the aggregate, one of the largest guaranteed basic income pilots in the country with at least 4,300 participants. That positions the County to be a national frontrunner in rebuilding a thriving economy for all.”

At the height of the pandemic, the U.S. economy lost 140,000 net jobs in December 2020 helping to build acceptance for guaranteed income programs across the nation. Former Stockton Mayor, Michael Tubbs, led the launch of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which has gained momentum due to the COVID-19 driven recession. And in Los Angeles County, the Cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Compton have launched their own guaranteed income programs.

“I applaud Supervisors Mitchell and Kuehl for moving to establish a Countywide Poverty Alleviation Initiative and Guaranteed Income Program” shared former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs “In Stockton, we found that our guaranteed income program participants were twice as likely to find full-time work compared to non-participants. We know that guaranteed income will not replace work, but it will allow people the freedom to choose more stable jobs. It’s important to note that our program didn’t have any issues with fraud. Our participants represented diverse communities and backgrounds and shared a fundamental right to live with dignity and provide for their families – this is what all Californians deserve. I’m excited for LA County to join us in the fight to ensure that we eliminate poverty and provide an income floor for all.”

The motion declares Poverty Alleviation as a countywide Board priority and directs the Chief Executive Office in collaboration with key County departments to establish a Guaranteed Income Pilot Implementation Plan within 60 days and identify target populations, that may include Transitional Age Youth, women released from incarceration and survivors of domestic violence.

To read the full motion approved by the Board of Supervisors click here.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Los Angeles County Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District hosted a Veterans Food Drive-Thru Distribution to address food insecurity among veterans and military families in Culver City. Local families and veterans were served with groceries donated by SEE-LA and connected to resources shared by the Veteran Peer Access Network.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District, organized a Mother’s Day distribution with Baby2Baby that provided hundreds of families in the Watts-Willowbrook community with diapers, wipes and special Mother’s Day gifts at the local Boys and Girls Club and Project Homekey site.

“I am proud to partner with Baby2Baby in providing these useful and fun items to families that need it the most in our district and thankful for the community organizations like HOPICS, Boys and Girls Club and A New Way of Life, that are helping to serve our most vulnerable residents.” shared Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “This small gesture is about celebrating birth mamas and community mamas that do the impossible each day while facing life’s on-going challenges

Baby2Baby – a non-profit that provides children living in poverty with diapers, clothing, and the necessities every child deserves – provided diaper bags filled with diapers, hygiene items and more, plus a special Mother’s Day gift and flowers. The non-profit, A New Way of Life also donated hundreds of slippers to share with moms. In addition to receiving gift bags, residents were also able to gain on-site COVID-19 vaccinations at the Boys and Girls Club location and connect with local community partners for on-going services and support.

“We are so proud to partner with Supervisor Mitchell on a special Mother’s Day distribution in her district,” shared Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Paticof.  “Mothers have been disproportionately devastated by COVID throughout the pandemic, and it’s critical that we continue to provide families with the basic essentials they need so they can focus their funds on paying their rent, putting food on the table and keeping their children safe after an unprecedented year.”

At the local Project Homekey site, managed by the non-profit, Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS), Supervisor Mitchell and Baby2Baby delivered gift bags directly to the doorsteps of over 40 families.

“Everyone deserves a home and to be treated with basic goodness, this is about providing that. We appreciate Supervisor Mitchell for staying engaged with our families and doing something special. These acts of kindness go a long way” shared Victor James, HOPICS, Associate Director of Interim Housing.

To download photos from the event click here.

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