Fresno County Launches $1 Million Guaranteed Basic Income Program
GBI Initiative Joins Nationwide Trend of Supporting Low-Income Families
According to Community Alliance, Fresno County has started a new program to help fight poverty through guaranteed basic income (GBI). Called Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income this $1 million pilot project is managed by the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC). It gives 150 families—75 from Huron and 75 from Fresno—$500 each month for a year. The program began in July 2024 after reviewing 10,000 applications and selecting families based on their income and having young children. The goal is to support families in some of the most impoverished areas in the county.
This new GBI program in Fresno is part of a growing trend across the United States. Similar programs, like Stockton’s Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) have shown that guaranteed income can help people improve their lives. Research indicates that GBI programs help individuals meet basic needs, lower financial stress, and increase employment and overall health. Unlike traditional welfare programs GBI provides unconditional cash payments with less red tape allowing recipients to spend the money on essentials such as housing, food, and transportation.
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California’s $1M Fresno County Guaranteed Income Pilot Launches, Providing $500 Monthly Stipends to 150 Families – A New Approach to Combatting Poverty and Financial Stress! (PHOTO: IFSE Institute)|
Fresno’s GBI Program Faces Criticism and Legal Hurdles Amid Nationwide Controversy
Despite its potential benefits the Fresno GBI program faces criticism and legal challenges. Some people are against using funds for these programs arguing that it’s not the role of public or philanthropic money to support guaranteed income. Additionally several states have passed laws banning GBI programs. However Fresno’s initiative which is funded by philanthropic organizations rather than taxpayers is a notable effort to test how direct financial support can reduce poverty. The Center for Community Voices at Fresno State will evaluate the program to see how well it works and compare its results to other similar initiatives.
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