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City of Alexandria Seeks Community Input on Guaranteed Income Pilot Program

Pixabay photo by Tim Kraaijvanger

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The City of Alexandria is working to develop a program that will help families who have struggled to make ends meet during the pandemic. And they are seeking the input of residents.

The Guaranteed Income Pilot Program will provide $500 a month in cash payments to 150 Alexandria households, with no limits on how the money is used. According to the program’s webpage, those who are eligible include “residents with a household income at 30-40% of Area Median Income or who meet the Alexandria United Way’s Asset Limited and Income Constrained (ALICE) requirements while employed.”

City Council voted on July 6 to support the program by allocating $2 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. That decision was based on community input.

“The pandemic has clearly demonstrated how many Alexandria families are on the financial edge, where an unexpected setback, like reduced hours at work or a car repair, can have a devastating impact,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “Guaranteed income is a proven tool to help families secure stronger financial footing and take steps to move up the economic ladder,”

Residents can participate in virtual sessions on Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. These sessions will provide an opportunity to learn about the program and shape how it will help community members in need. (To register for the meeting of your preference, click on the session date and time above.)

The pilot is a collaboration between the city and the nonprofits the Bruhn Morris Foundation and ACT for Alexandria.

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Kevin Dauray

Kevin is Publisher's Assistant with The Zebra Press. He has been working for Alexandria's "Good News" newspaper since 2019. A graduate of George Mason University, he earned a bachelor's in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He also studied at the Columbia School of Broadcasting and holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. He is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School. Go Titans!

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