(PresidentialHill.com)- Oregon is now debating whether or not to implement a universal basic income bill that would provide homeless or impoverished people a payment of $1,000 each month.
Legislators in Oregon are now debating a bill that would establish a People’s Housing Help Fund Demonstration Program inside the state’s Department of Human Services.
The universal basic income (UBI) program in Oregon is the most recent effort by blue states to support UBI users financially.
As stated by Bill Track 50, the proposed law would provide 12 monthly payments of $1,000 to persons experiencing homelessness, are in danger of homelessness, are considered rent burdened, or earn at or below 60% of the area median income.
Under the proposed legislation, studies would need to be conducted on who receives the funds and how they are allocated across various groups, such as race, veteran status, and the possibility of experiencing domestic abuse.
Moreover, the legislation will be null and void as of January 1, 2026.
The winners are free to spend the $1,000 as they see fit, although supporters predict the money will go toward rent and other living expenses.
Nevertheless, there is a chance that this discretion may be misused since some recipients may use the funds for purposes other than what they intended (e.g., drugs or alcohol).
A universal basic income is not new, and Oregon isn’t the first state to consider implementing payments.
One California town is considering a plan to guarantee a minimum income to trans and non-binary residents.
Without any further qualifications, residents of Palm Springs, California, who identify as transgender or non-binary, can receive a universal basic income (UBI) of up to $900 per month.
Last week, the City Council of Palm Springs reached a unanimous resolution to set aside $200,000 for the pilot program.
