As Americans are crushed by affordability, mayors push cash handouts as the answer in growing trend

As affordability crises deepen, organizations like the Economic Securities Project (ESP) are advocating for guaranteed income programs, emphasizing that cash assistance provides stability and supports economic mobility. Mayors are also exploring ways to sustain these programs as federal pandemic aid expires, with ESP suggesting that cash is most effective during life transitions.
The push for these programs is gaining momentum nationwide, with ESP recommending dedicated revenue streams from local taxes to ensure their continuation. Many cities are looking for permanent solutions to fund these cash handout experiments.
Advocates believe that direct cash transfers are a legitimate policy tool that can help families navigate economic hardship and achieve greater financial security.

• The Economic Securities Project (ESP) advocates for guaranteed income programs due to the affordability crisis, citing increased urgency to provide cash to communities.
• ESP’s director of cash initiatives, Shafeka Hashash, stated that cash assistance offers stability, supports economic mobility, and helps families achieve financial security.
• The organization’s report, ‘Right on Time: How Cash Helps Families Move Through Life’s Transitions,’ suggests that cash assistance is most impactful during periods of personal or financial hardship and life transitions.
• Mayors across the nation are seeking to institutionalize cash handout programs as federal pandemic aid (ARPA funds) nears its spending deadline.
• ESP recommends that local and state governments establish dedicated revenue streams from local taxes to fund guaranteed income programs.
• California leads the nation in pilot programs, and ESP’s state affiliate, Economic Security California, is working to establish state-funded initiatives.
• The trend involves moving beyond donor funding and emergency stimulus to find sustainable, tax-funded solutions for cash assistance programs.