The Atlanta City Council passed a new pilot program that will provide direct, monthly cash payments to certain residents of the city.
The initiative, entitled Income Mobility Program for Atlanta Community Transformation (IMPACT), will award a stipend of $500 per month for up to 12 months to individuals who qualify.
“I.M.P.A.C.T. is another major step toward our vision of One Atlanta – a more equitable, affordable, resilient city,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “This pilot program is an innovative solution to the pervasive economic insecurity and income inequality that exists around the country and it is a bold investment in our most underserved communities.”
The funds will serve approximately 300 Atlanta residents who are at least 18 years old and live below 200% of the federal poverty line, the mayor’s office detailed.
Because of the action taken by the City Council, Atlanta will provide $2 million in taxpayer funds to pay for the program, which will be run by nonprofit organizations. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will launch the pilot program and receive an additional donation of $500,000 from Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, a group of progressives that “agree to advocate for a guaranteed income at the local, state, and federal level; invest in narrative change efforts to highlight the lived experiences of economic insecurity; and invite other cities to join us in our efforts, and provide technical assistance and funding support for new pilots.”
However, the city leaders are making the funding available as a “donation.” Therefore, the city will have no contract or say on how the money is distributed to families. Additionally, there will be no oversight of the spending.
The measure will also have a high threshold of those who can receive funds. For example, according to a report from Fox 5, residents can make more than $50,000 a year and collect money.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Keisha Lance Bottoms” by Keisha Lance Bottoms.
