West Hollywood Pilot for Guaranteed Income

West Hollywood Pilot for Guaranteed Income was launched in 2022.

25

participants

$1,000

monthly payment

1.5 Years

duration

$450,000

invested in community

logo
Program Features  
Number of Participants25 individuals
Amount$1,000
Frequencymonthly
Program DatesAugust 2022-January 2024
EligibilityAdults over 50 years of age, housed or unhoused resident of West Hollywood, and living on $41,400 or less.

About the West Hollywood Pilot for Guaranteed Income

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.

Pilot concluded in 2024.

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Demographic Data for Study Participants

Median Annual Household income

WHPGI

$24,000

West Hollywood, CA

$78,719

Annual Household Income (Mean)

$22,206

Sample Size

22

Avg. Age of Respondent

66

Avg. Children in Household

0

Avg. Household Size

1

gender

Male

59%

Female

41%

Other

0%

marital status

Married

9%

Single

82%

Partnered/In-Relationship

9%

children in household

Yes

0%

No

100%

race

White

95%

African American

0%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Asian

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Latino

0%

Other/Mixed

5%

ethnicity

Hispanic

19%

Non-Hispanic

81%

primary language at home

English

100%

Spanish

0%

Other

0%

Economic Context for Pilot Participants

The guaranteed income pilot launched during a period of dynamic change and economic challenges for pilot participants. The chart below situates this pilot in the context of unemployment and inflation.

Start of Covid-19 PandemicJan 2019MarMayJulSepNovJan 2020MarMayJulSepNovJan 2021MarMayJulSepNovJan 2022MarMayJulSepNovJan 2023MarMayJulSepNovJan 2024MarMayJulSepNovJan 2025MarMayJulSepNovJan 202602468101214161820Unemployment02468101214161820Inflation
Unemployment  
Inflation  
Pilot Timeline
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Spending Breakdown

The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in West Hollywood, CA. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.

Spending breakdown

Food and groceries accounted for the largest share of spending, at 32.2%, followed by Retail sales and services (25.39%) and Healthcare/Medical expenses (19.64%).

"T" (anonymous)

“This is probably the nicest and most helpful thing that’s happened to me, just from people helping me.”

"T" (anonymous)

Just Income

Gainesville, FL

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