Sonoma County and Three Cities to Launch Basic Income Program

Hundreds of residents in Sonoma County will soon receive $500 a month to help them meet their basic needs. It’s part of a guaranteed income pilot program being launched by Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Healdsburg, and several community groups. 

The program will run for two years and will benefit 305 low-income households. The three cities, Sonoma County, the Sonoma County Guaranteed Basic Income Coalition, and the Fund for Guaranteed Income (F4GI) are contributing $5.4 million toward the effort. Applications (available here) will be accepted through midnight, Oct. 31, 2022.

“Many in our community continue to struggle to afford their basic needs,” said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair James Gore. “This Guaranteed Income pilot will ensure that participating families can cover expenses not covered by other benefits such as rental assistance and food stamps, which are insufficient especially for families with young children.”  

Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Healdsburg join a growing number of cities and counties in California experimenting with guaranteed income. The first jurisdiction to do so was Stockton. Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Marin County have since developed their own efforts. 

Read more about these guaranteed income programs here.