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Community advocates urge inclusive targeting for Contra Costa guaranteed‑income pilot
Summary
Public commenters at the Measure X advisory board meeting praised progress toward a guaranteed‑income pilot but urged better collaboration with county staff and careful targeting so the program reaches the most vulnerable Contra Costa residents. (Quote: Melvin Willis.)
At the Measure X Community Advisory Board meeting, community advocates urged the board and county staff to ensure any guaranteed‑income pilot reaches the county’s most vulnerable residents and to involve community stakeholders earlier in planning.
Melvin Willis of ACE and the Racial Justice Coalition told the advisory board he was grateful the CAB helped start the guaranteed‑income conversation but warned that rollout plans must include inclusive targeting and easier ways for community partners to provide input. "We are concerned that the collaboration with other county staff has been lackluster, and we deeply desire more collaboration so we can have the best guaranteed income program possible for Contra Costa County and its residents," Willis said.
An unidentified public commenter who described being a guaranteed‑income pilot recipient said the $400 monthly payment she received for six months materially improved her ability to pay bills and save, and urged the board to consider guaranteed income among the investments that address food insecurity, transportation gaps and economic disparities.
Board members acknowledged the community’s concerns and suggested the CAO and the Board of Supervisors offer clearer opportunities for stakeholder input. The CAB did not make a formal recommendation about a guaranteed‑income pilot at this meeting, but members said they would press for greater community engagement as the Board advances allocation decisions.
