The City of West Hollywood was created by LGBT activists, older adults, and renters seeking a place to live where they would be free from discrimination and safely age in their community. Since then, the City has crafted housing policies that stabilize rental costs and prohibit discrimination, invested in affordable and inclusionary housing, and developed the West Hollywood Pilot for Guaranteed Income. The City, in partnership with National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles, launched the first pilot in the country for older adults living on a low-income and based on state and local data: residents over the age of 50 are now the fastest growing population of homeless people in many parts of the state; and West Hollywood residents ages 55+ comprise 23% of the City’s population, but 44% of residents living in poverty. The pilot’s goals are to help community members age in place, prevent homelessness, reduce the stressors of financial insecurity, as well as capture qualitative data to provide insight into income challenges facing older adults.
City of West Hollywood and National Council of Jewish Women-LA
Other Affiliations
Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) and Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR)
IMPLEMENTATION DATA
Implementation Dates
August 2022 - January 2024
Implementation Status
Active
Total Number of Participants
25
Type of Funding
Public/Private
Participants Receiving the Transfer
Individuals
Transfer Amount
$1,000 USD
Frequency of Payment
Monthly
Duration of Payment
18 months
Is Use of Funds Available?
Yes
Is the Pilot a Randomized Control Trial (RCT)?
No
TARGETING INFORMATION
Type of Tagergeting
Geographic and individual/household means-testing and demographic
Targeting Details
Individuals 50 years and older, living housed or unhoused in West Hollywood, with an income equal to or less than $41,400 (the 'very low income' category that is 50% of AMI for Los Angeles County in 2021 as determined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
