Oakland to Enroll 600 Families of Color in ‘Guranteed Income’ Pilot Program

Critics say the race-based eligibility criteria—which exclude whites—are illegal

File photo showing Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf speaking at a news conference in Oakland, Calif., on April 10, 2020. AP Photo/Ben Margot

The mayor of Oakland, California, on Tuesday announced a privately funded program that will give low-income families of color $500 per month in a trial program similar to the “universal basic income” idea that gained national attention when proposed by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.

Under the 18-month long pilot that is to be up and running by summer, 600 families will receive $500 a month to spend as they choose, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement.