The City of Phoenix is currently developing a program to assist families due to the pandemic and provide them with a basic income.
The Financial Assistance for Phoenix Families Program will provide low-income families with the support that they need.
“Under this 12-month pilot program, 1,000 Phoenix families with children will be selected to receive a $1,000 stipend to use on household expenses, such as childcare, groceries, rent/utility bills, transportation, etc.,” the city explained in a press release
The program, which was approved on Sept. 12, draws from the $12 million in funding from American Rescue Plan Act funds that was approved by city council.
City Manager Jeff Barton explained “Throughout this pandemic many low-income families in phoenix and across the country have been forced to play a balancing act of having to choose between rent, buying groceries, or having quality childcare options.”
The program aims to help families who have struggled to survive the pandemic and is based upon several other programs including ones in “Los Angeles County and Chicago IL” according to the policy agenda provided by the city.
Many low-income families have been struggling with nutrition for their children or providing them with the necessary education that they need.
“A study suggested that one of their children aged five or older have fallen behind academically. Thirty-six percent said that their children fell behind their social and emotional development. Roughly 30 percent said that their children have experienced a mental health or behavioral problem as a result of the pandemic. We also now from an economic standpoint that our phoenix families also faced a difficult time. They are suffering to find childcare at an affordable price.” explained Barton.
The price of childcare in Phoenix is what prevents many families from seeking it help provide children with enriching experiences.
The average price of childcare is $1,000 a month in the Phoenix Metro Area and the average price for a toddler is $800 a month.
The program’s $1,000 is designed to help provide parents with the ability to have care for their children.
The stipend may also be used for groceries, rent, transportation, utilities. It is designed to be used for the essentials.
The money will be provided in the form of debit card that will be monitored by the City of Phoenix and all spending will then be reported to the federal government.
The program is currently being piloted and tested within the city. The families are being randomly selected from families who are currently receiving Emergency Rental Relief, have a Section 8 voucher, or live-in city owned housing, according to a press release from the city.
The city hopes to launch the program fully by Jan. 12 according to a press release from the city.
The city currently does not have a vendor for the debit cards, but they are looking at using Chase Bank according to Barton.
When asked for a more recent update on the program Dan Wilson, the city communication director, he stated “The program is still in the developing stage so it would be premature for the city to comment on it.”
Contact the reporter at psmithga@asu.edu.
