City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, June 15, 2023) – Mayor
Malik D. Evans today announced the launch of the City of Rochester’s Guaranteed
Basic Income (GBI) Program. Qualified city residents will be able to apply
starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June
29.
Financed by $2.2 million of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
funds, Rochester’s GBI program will provide a monthly payment of $500 to 351
individuals for 12 months. The payments are unconditional, which means that
there are no strings attached, no work requirements, and no restrictions on how
the money can be spent.
“Rochester’s GBI program has the potential to create
significant opportunities for our residents to not only survive, but to
thrive,” said Mayor Evans. “We continue to work to take our city from a poverty
mindset to a prosperity mindset, and to prioritize the well-being and economic
stability of our community. GBI is one more program helping to do that.”
Applicants to the GBI program must meet all qualification
criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older;
- Must be a resident of the City of Rochester for
at least one year;
- Household income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL);
- Must reside in a qualified census tract in the
City of Rochester;
- Only one individual per household can
participate in the program.
The City is committed to making the GBI application process
easy and accessible. City residents who do not have access to a computer or the
internet can visit any of the more than 25
community partners to get help to apply.
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of the efforts of
many people, organizations, and community leaders,” said Mayor Evans. “Thanks to
all of you who helped set the foundation for this program, and to those who are
making the plan come together.”
The City has
partnered with the Black Community Focus Fund (BCFF) and the Wilson Sheehan
Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) to bring this program to fruition, with
each partner managing different aspects of the program.
The City will manage and host the online application
process; LEO will execute the randomized selection process and coordinate
program research; and once participants have been selected and notified, the
BCFF will oversee the enrollment process.
For contact information and to learn more about the roles
each of these partners play in the GBI program, visit www.RocGBI.com/Partners.
Thanks to a private donation from local philanthropist Linda
Philips to the One City Fund 2 at Rochester Area Community Foundation, the City
is able to enroll one additional resident in the program, bringing the total to
351 participants. Donors interested in contributing to the City’s Guaranteed
Basic Income Program may donate at www.RACF.org/OneCity.
To learn more about the program, get answers to frequently
asked questions, check eligibility guidelines, and apply once the application
goes live, visit www.RocGBI.com.
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