City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND
HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of the Release of the $550,000 from FY 2025 Contingent Reserves for the five-month extension of DCHS' Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE) program.
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ISSUE: Consideration of the release of the $550,000 general fund dollars, appropriated by the City Council in the FY 2025 budget to bridge the completion of the ARISE program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the release of the $550,000 budget allocation to extend the ARISE guaranteed income payments to all participants for an additional five months through the end of FY 2025; and
2. Maintain the program's infrastructure for the remainder of the fiscal year.
BACKGROUND: The ARISE guaranteed income program began in February of 2023. It was funded using $3 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to provide $500 cash payments to 170 eligible residents and to carry out rigorous research of the program. The research focuses on the impact of the $500 a month on the following areas: mental and physical well-being, housing, food and transportation stability, labor market participation, sense of hope in the community, and child outcomes in the households with children. Narrative change was another component and stated communication goal of the program. Expressly educating the community about why and how people experience poverty and the approaches, systems, and policies that improve equity and, economic stability and mobility.
The funding of the program was scheduled to end in February 2025. During the FY2025 Budget process, City Council approved $550,00 to be held in FY 2025 General Fund contingent re...
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