Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs gave more details Monday about the city's plan to provide a guaranteed income for 100 families.
Starting in November, 1,000 letters will go out to families living in neighborhoods at or below the city's median income of around $46,000. The letters will invite them to participate to receive a $500 monthly stipend for 18 months.
Tubbs says 100 families will be picked at random to receive and spend the money as they like starting in February.
“We have neighbors, our friends, who are working themselves to death literally and still can’t afford basic necessities," Tubbs said.
The program would be the first in the country to provide a guaranteed basic income to its poorer residents. It's drawn nationwide attention, including a lot of criticism.
Tubbs says researchers will check in with recipients to see how the money has affected them, from financial security to health and wellness. A control group will also be selected in addition to the 100 residents who receive the stipend.
Tubbs emphasizes the money for this program comes from donations and not tax dollars.
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