Tacoma City Council Authorizes Acceptance of 100,000 Grant for Exploration of Guaranteed Income Pilot Program

The Tacoma City Council has officially accepted a $100,000 grant to investigate the feasibility of a guaranteed income pilot program, which would deliver unconditional monthly cash payments to residents. This initiative is part of a national coalition, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which seeks to address the growing wealth and income inequality in the United States. Mayor Victoria Woodards stressed the need to explore innovative solutions to economic challenges without relying on local taxpayer funds. The collaborative effort involves several community organizations, including United Way and the Tacoma Housing Authority, to design a program tailored to the city's needs. Council Member Kristina Walker noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant gaps in the social safety net, particularly affecting Black and Brown communities.

This pilot program aims to provide immediate financial assistance to those in need while collecting valuable data to inform potential future federal policies. The initiative reflects a commitment to fostering equity and addressing poverty in Tacoma. Through this program, the city hopes to contribute to a larger conversation about effective poverty alleviation strategies nationwide.