A New Guaranteed Income Program Launches on the West Coast
A new guaranteed income program called The Nest is set to distribute millions of dollars to families on the west coast. The program aims to support 150 families who have been disproportionately impacted by poverty in Washington State. It specifically targets indigenous families in King County, Pierce County, or the Tulalip Reservation. The signup process for the pilot program is now open.
No-Strings-Attached Monthly Payments
Selected families will receive monthly payments of $1,250 with no strings attached starting from the 12th week of pregnancy until the child’s third birthday. Each family is expected to receive a total of $45,000 throughout the program’s duration. The Nest, spearheaded by Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services based in Seattle, plans to distribute a total of $6.75 million.
Transformative Impact and Trust in Communities
The founder of Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, Camie Goldhammer, explains that guaranteed income has transformative effects on communities. It is associated with improved birth outcomes and increased self-efficacy while demonstrating trust and value in marginalized communities. Goldhammer emphasizes that this program provides financial stability during a critical period in people’s lives.
Applications Open
Applications for The Nest are currently being accepted, and the program plans to admit 15 new participants each month until all slots are filled. This trial is one of many across the US that aim to distribute over $200 million to assess the effectiveness of basic income programs for individuals facing financial struggles.
Hot Take: A New Path Towards Financial Stability
A new guaranteed income program called The Nest has been launched on the west coast to provide financial support to families impacted by poverty. With no strings attached, selected families will receive monthly payments of $1,250 from the 12th week of pregnancy until the child’s third birthday. The program aims to distribute a total of $6.75 million and is specifically designed for indigenous families in Washington State. By offering financial stability during critical life stages, The Nest seeks to transform communities and demonstrate trust in marginalized groups. This program is part of a larger effort across the US to explore the effectiveness of basic income programs in addressing financial hardships.