pages: CityCouncil/2022-05-17.pdf, 16
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CityCouncil | 2022-05-17 | 16 | pandemic; expressed support for the staff recommendation. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated there is a lot of work still to be done; expressed concern about offering aid to 150 homes when 11,000 homes qualify under the identified criteria; inquired how the 150 homes will be chosen. The Development Manager responded staff will work with a research partner to develop a lottery or pool; staff will promote and publicize the program and allocation process. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she does not plan to support the matter; she has concerns; the program helps 1.5% of eligible people; she would be comfortable providing less funding to more people in order to help people get to and from work; $1,000 per month for 150 people is not the type of program that meets the needs of Alamedans; expressed concern about the program funding not continuing in the future; stated the City would never have the money to serve 11,000 people at the proposed rate; the pool will need to be changed; the funds could be used better; expressed support for funding being put towards mental health services; expressed concern about serving only 1.5% of the eligible population; stated it is important for Council to come up with a better way to serve people with needs; mental health and other needs matter as well; the City can go farther with the amount of funding to serve more people than the proposed 150 people. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification about the program process and research components. The Development Manager stated the pilot program will allow impacts to be felt locally; the findings from the research component will help support policy design and implementation. The Development Manager stated the research also provides a narrative which illustrates how the programs work and impact people's lives in providing resources; the program is developing and changing the narrative of how to fund poverty. Councilmember Daysog stated it is not proper for City Hall to throw $4.6 million at a limited handful of 150 households; he will not be supporting the matter. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated there is a need to establish an amount that is meaningful to help lift people out of poverty and make a difference; more people could receive a lower amount; she would like more details on how staff arrived at the proposed recommendation. The Development Manager stated pilot programs range in the number of participants; staff debated internally over smaller payments for more recipients versus larger payments to a smaller number of recipients; staff's recommendation reflects a belief that providing larger benefits, given the high cost of living in Alameda, may allow for more transformational impacts than a smaller monthly payment; the group of participants would be smaller; however, the impacts would be profound. The Development Manager stated the bottom number of $400 was based off of Federal Reserve information that 40% of the population could have trouble paying an unexpected expense of $400 or more in one month; staff moved just above due to the Bay Area's high cost of living. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council May 17, 2022 16 | CityCouncil/2022-05-17.pdf |