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The Promising Results of a Citywide Basic-Income Experiment

Linnea Feldman Emison

July 15, 2020 |

The New Yorker |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Stockton, California

Universal basic income, or UBI, was implemented in Stockton, California through a pilot program known as SEED. Each participant was given $500 with no conditions on how to spend it. The data shows that the largest expense was food, especially as the pandemic began. Participants report being able to quit second jobs and third jobs, pay off debts, and cover medical bills. A key feature of the UBI was the absence of the requirement to be employed in order to receive the money. The basic-income pilot has caught the attention of programs across the country who reached out for advice.

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The Pandemic Proved That Cash Payments Work

Annie Lowrey

July 10, 2020 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

American households were able to avoid income loss when the federal government implemented an extra $600 a week for anyone facing unemployment in addition to $1200 for those who qualified, regardless of their employment status. Despite an almost total economic shutdown, the universal payments have kept poverty rates from increasing. The money has provided a security net for households while also preventing a collapse by generating economic activity.

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RIP Medical Debt helps poor Americans eliminate medical bills

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

June 30, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Two former debt collectors have teamed up to put their experience and expertise to use paying off medical debts for Americans below the poverty line. RIP Medical Debt is a nonprofit that buys debt in bulk at reduced rates from hospitals. Within five years, $2 billion dollars of debt have been eliminated. The nonprofit has also launched projects researching systemic issues within healthcare and how to solve them.

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Minnesota Food Shelves Go Mobile To Fight Hunger

Gaby Galvin

June 29, 2020 |

U.S. News & World Report |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota

Food banks and relief groups in Minnesota are delivering food to rural and suburban communities as food insecurity rises across the state. Suburban poverty presents unique challenges because communities are spread out and lack public transportation as well as social services, underscoring the importance of mobile food deliveries. Food pantries have been overburdened since March as more and more people experience food insecurity for the first time. One group reported a drastic increase in the number of people served, with 68 percent using the pantry service for the very first time.

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How nonprofits are getting people out of metro Detroit jails during COVID-19 pandemic

Angie Jackson

June 16, 2020 |

Detroit Free Press |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Nonprofit bail funds, which use donated money to pay the bail of low-income people held in jail on pending charges, have won the release of about 55 people in Detroit during the COVID-19 crisis. Beyond the immediate need to free more people from an environment that makes social distancing difficult, the bail funds are part of a larger movement challenging a system that disproportionately affects people of color. The combination of bail payments, bond reductions, and administrative releases have reduced Wayne County's jail population by almost half.

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Finnish basic income pilot improved wellbeing, study finds

Jon Henley

May 07, 2020 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Finland

The Finnish government's experiment with basic income revealed the mental and emotional benefits associated with receiving a small monthly income. The 560-euro amount is not enough to live on but provides a financial security net for those who have experienced long-term unemployment. Basic income allowed participants to consider low-paying jobs that would normally cost them their benefits. The notion of basic income has gained traction across Europe, especially during the pandemic and in the face of general job losses due to automation.

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Hotel Vouchers 4 All Provides San Diego Homeless People with Shelter During Pandemic

Ari Honarvar

May 05, 2020 |

Invisible People |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

When COVID-19 hit the U.S., Hotel Vouchers 4 All was created as an emergency response to finding housing for San Diego residents experiencing homelessness. Funded by donations, the initiative has partnered with a local motel to negotiate lower rates for individuals to stay and socially distance during the pandemic. It also helps provide meals, clothes, PPE, and access to health services, but with limited funding and a lack of support from the city, it’s sustainability hangs in question.

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L.A. races to save 15,000 homeless people from coronavirus — one hotel room at a time

Doug Smith

April 18, 2020 |

Los Angeles Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, the city-led effort, Project Roomkey, is working to get 15,000 people experiencing homelessness into hotel rooms in the fight against COVID-19. Working with the LA Homeless Services Authority and state negotiators, partnerships with hotels are being developed and are already housing some of these individuals. While costing nearly $190 million, it is helping save lives and hopefully keeping hotels afloat.

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Minneapolis Offers People Experiencing Homelessness a Simple Gift: A Safe Place for Their Stuff

Cinnamon Janzer

March 31, 2020 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

A pilot program in Minneapolis is providing a safe place for unhoused residents to store their belongings for free and without any time limits. People experiencing homelessness can often be easily identified as such when lugging around baggage, an indicator that can affect their ability to find employment or negatively impact the quality of healthcare they receive. Although the pilot project was cut short by the shelter-in-place order, the city is looking to continue and expand the program due to the positive response from those experiencing homelessness.

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State of NH, local school districts, work to keep kids fed

Dave Solomon

March 18, 2020 |

Sentinel Source (The Keene Sentinel) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

School districts across New Hampshire went into action to feed their students quickly after in-person classes had to be canceled due to the pandemic. Some districts incorporated community volunteers in order to increase food delivery routes and run bus routes, others were able to extend food pick-up to include the weekend, and others were able to offer fresh produce on top of bagged lunches, all of which helps not just the near-30% of students in the state who qualify for free lunch, but whoever wants or needs accessible food resources.

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