What happened as a result of giving over 140,000 yen of basic income to poor families every month for a year?
In 2022, in Austin, Texas, we conducted a one-year trial to provide 135 low-income households with a monthly basic income of $1,000 (approximately 146,000 yen). At the same time, research was conducted on how the money provided would be used and how it would change their lives.
Austin_Guaranteed_Income_Pilot_Participant_Outcomes_at_12_Months.pdf
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FAQs | austintexas.gov
Austin Gave Poor Families a Basic Income. It Changed Their Lives.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/4a38nq/austin-gave-poor-families-a-basic-income-it-changed-their-lives
In Austin, Texas, while the local technology industry is experiencing explosive development, problems such as the housing market, soaring rents, and housing shortages, known as the ' housing crisis ,' are occurring mainly among low-income residents. I did.
Austin is piloting a basic income program that will provide 135 low-income households with $1,000 per month for one year. Part of the amount awarded was covered by donations from charities. The target households were of various races, with a focus on single-mother households. The average number of households eligible for basic income was four people.
In addition, the American think tank The Urban Institute conducted a survey on how the money provided to each household was used and the impact of basic income provision on their lives.
The following is how the basic income is used by eligible households. Comparing the time point after 6 months (blue) and the time point after 1 year (yellow), after 1 year the proportion used for 'Rent (housing expenses)' increases, and the proportion used for 'Basic needs' and 'Other bills' increases. It has been reported that the proportion used for 'Other Claims', 'Investing' and 'Giving to others' has decreased.
According to The Urban Institute, households eligible for basic income payments used more than half of the money to pay rent and other housing costs, reducing the likelihood of being evicted for nonpayment of rent. thing. Furthermore, it seems that the provision of basic income has significantly improved housing conditions.
The provision of basic income not only improved housing conditions, but also brought various benefits. 9% of people reported that they had reduced their working hours as a result of basic income provision. As a result of fewer working hours, people can now spend their time acquiring skills that will help them get a better job. It was also reported that 7% of respondents said they were able to ``break down barriers to getting a better job'' by using the basic income they received for commuting expenses.
“When people make the right decisions for themselves and their families, it leads to better outcomes,” Austin says on its website. “Basic income, when used properly, can lead to better jobs, increased savings, food security, and housing security, which will have a positive impact on different generations and communities.” 'Sho,' he said.
However, as the one-year basic income deadline approaches, a significant number of participants are worried about whether they will be able to make ends meet after this experiment ends, according to The Urban Institute. has also become clear. Vice, an overseas media outlet, pointed out, ``Uncertainty about what will happen when the experiment ends can have negative effects.''
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