From Pierce County Human Resources Coalition:

Applications for Tacoma’s guaranteed income demonstration, Growing Resilience In Tacoma (GRIT), opened today at 10am and will remain open for one week, until Monday, August 16 at 11:59 pm.

GRIT participants will receive $500 a month for 12 months as a supplement to their income and public benefits. Qualified applicants must be:

· City of Tacoma residents currently residing in Eastside (98404), Hilltop (98405), South Tacoma (98409), and the South End (98408).

· Single parent or guardian households with children living in the home up to age 17, children with disabilities up to age 21.

· Meet the ALICE definition: Asset Limited, Income Constrained while Employed. ALICE household costs are between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

To apply, one person who is at least 18 years old from each household must fill out the online survey, https://www.uwpc.org/grit-application, by 11:59 pm on August 16, 2021. It is up to each household to decide who that person is. Individuals who complete the online form are agreeing that they are willing to be included in any of the demonstration groups.

· Group 1: 110 participants will be randomly selected to get $500 per month for 12 months directly deposited into a personal account. This group will complete surveys and interviews to help us understand how guaranteed income works. This group will be paid $30 on a gift card for each survey they complete.

· Group 2: 132 people will not get the monthly $500 stipend. This group will complete surveys and interviews to help us understand how guaranteed income works. This group will be paid $30 on a gift card for each survey they complete.

· Group 3: additional applicants will not get the monthly $500 stipend or participate in surveys.

We will email individuals selected for Group 1 or Group 2 in early September. Individuals in Group 3 will not receive an email, instead they will need to check the website to see if notification is complete. Participation in this program will be kept private and confidential. Only employees of GRIT and our research team will know the names of participants.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN FILLING OUT THE GRIT APPLICATION

The application is in an online survey format that is a bit clinical: https://www.uwpc.org/grit-application.

It may take some time to complete, and internet access is needed. The application is only available online. It’s easy to read and available in multiple languages. The application can be filled in over time, as long as the browser window is not closed.

It is important to keep the browser window open until receipt of notification that a response has been received.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BASIC INCOME

In late June, Dona Ponepinto, President and CEO of the United Way of Pierce County, participated in a forum about guaranteed income. The program, “Understanding how basic income support can affect economic stability and well-being”, included context and history of guaranteed basic income efforts nationally, current efforts in Washington state, and a conversation about how to build support for guaranteed basic income initiatives. Participants also included Marcy Bowers, Director, Statewide Poverty Action Network; Drayton Jackson, Director, Foundation of Homeless and Poverty Management; Lori Pfingst, Senior Director, Economic Services Administration, DSHS; and Lindsay Morgan Tracy, Innovator-in-Chief, Economic Service Administration, DSHS

If you missed the forum, you can listen to it online.

ESSAYS FOR A GUARANTEED INCOME

Since joining Mayors for a Guaranteed income, we’ve been impressed with how many people support a guaranteed income. We’re thrilled that Roxane Gay is on that list and hope all writers in Tacoma will submit their stories imagining a world in which we all have what we need. https://audacity.substack.com/p/egi

You have until September 1, 2021 to submit your stories for publication in her newsletter and compensation of $2,000! Learn more: https://audacity.substack.com/p/egi

If you need to contact someone regarding PCHSC business please contact the Chair: Erick Seelbach,