L.A. advances guaranteed income plan for foster youth [Video]

The Los Angeles City Council advanced a proposal Tuesday intended to establish a guaranteed basic income program for victims of intimate partner violence and foster youth.

In a 10-0 vote, council members instructed the Community Investment for Families Department to work on guidelines for a $4 million to $5 million program. The report will examine programs in other cities, such as one in Chicago that pairs guaranteed income with housing resources.

Additionally, city staff will review potential funding sources for the program, and may consider discretionary money or dollars specifically for homeless housing assistance and prevention.

Council members Eunisses Hernandez, Imelda Padilla, Curren Price, Monica Rodriguez and Hugo Soto-Martinez were absent during the vote.

In July, Price, Soto-Martinez and Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson introduced the motion to establish a guaranteed income pilot program. Price and Soto-Martinez previously said they would provide $1 million each to support such a program.

Three years …