Dec 30, 2021

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta has partnered with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to launch I.M.P.A.C.T. (Income Mobility Program for Atlanta Community Transformation)—the City’s first citywide guaranteed income pilot program open to low-income Atlantans. The pilot will serve 300 Atlanta residents who are at least 18 years old and live below 200% of the federal poverty line ($53,000 for a household of four). Participants in the I.M.P.A.C.T. program will receive $500 per month in guaranteed income during the 12-month pilot period.

“We are seizing this moment to realize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision for addressing economic security and pervasive poverty,” said Mayor Bottoms. "Dr. King said, ‘The curse of poverty has no justification in our age.' In the spirit of Dr. King's vision for the beloved community, the launch of the I.M.P.A.C.T. program takes us another step closer to creating One Atlanta—an affordable, resilient and equitable Atlanta. Thank you to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income for leading and joining us in this impactful work.”

Initially championed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., guaranteed income is an unconditional monthly cash payment given directly to individuals to use for their most urgent needs. It is meant to supplement rather than replace the existing social safety net and can be a critical tool for improving racial and gender equity. The City of Atlanta has donated $2 million to local nonprofit organization Urban League of Greater Atlanta to launch the pilot program. National partner Mayors for a Guaranteed Income will also donate $500,000 to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to fund the administration of the day-to-day operations of the program.

The I.M.P.A.C.T. program is being launched with the support of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI). Founded in June of 2020 by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs with Mayor Bottoms and their peers from across the country, MGI is a coalition of more than 60 mayors committed to advancing guaranteed income in their cities. In addition to pilots, MGI also advocates for cash-based policies at the federal level.

"Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke about the need to abolish poverty through a guaranteed income more than half a century ago, and now his vision will finally be realized in his hometown," said MGI Founder and former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs. "I am thrilled that the city of Atlanta is joining the ranks of our movement to uplift and empower communities through a guaranteed income."

Urban League of Greater Atlanta will administer the daily operations of the I.M.P.A.C.T. program and is currently working to make the first guaranteed income payments to the initial cohort of 25 participants.

“We are honored that Mayor Bottoms chose the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to facilitate I.M.P.A.C.T., a guaranteed income research program for City of Atlanta residents in need of a helping hand,” said Nancy Flake Johnson, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. “The timing couldn’t be more relevant to so many families hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are in an excellent position to partner with the Mayor and the City based on our 100+ years history of proven programs to empower people in Atlanta who have been marginalized. This initiative aligns with our new Financial Empowerment and Emergency Relief Center (FEERC) – an integrated person-to-person economic mobility framework. It gives us another tool to help clients bridge their financial gaps and move toward financial independence.”

Any low-income Atlantan who believes they meet the I.M.P.A.C.T. eligibility criteria may register with Urban League beginning early next year for an opportunity to participate. The final program participants will be selected at random from all those who register. To sign up to be notified when registration opens and to learn more about the program, please visit ULGA IMPACT PROGRAM (ulgacoaimpact.org).

Original post: https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/13975/1338