The Public Policy Institute of California has estimated that more than 20% of people residing in Los Angeles live at or below the national poverty line, making less than $25,500 a year. But a new $24-million anti-poverty program proposed by Mayor Eric Garcetti would give free cash to some individuals — no strings attached — in an effort to help them become more financially well off.
Dakota Smith of the Los Angeles Times has reported that “Garcetti’s $24-million Basic Income Guaranteed program, which will be included in his city budget to be released [on April 21], would provide $1,000 a month to 2,000 Los Angeles families for a year. There will be no obligation on how to spend the money, according to the mayor’s office.”
Garcetti’s program has been dubbed “BIG: LEAP” (Basic Income Guaranteed: L.A. Economic Assistance Pilot).
