It may surprise some people to learn that Yolo County had a guaranteed Basic Income Program. It may also surprise some people to learn it worked.

And it’s too bad if county officials can’t find the money to keep it running because of the effectiveness for lifting people up not just financially but in spirit.

A report was presented to Yolo County supervisors recently which noted Yolo Basic Income, or “YOBI,” ran from 2022 to 2024 and was one of the first 100 guaranteed income programs in the country, according to Nolan Sullivan, director of the county’s Health and Human Services Agency.

The goal of YOBI was to improve housing stability and child and caregiver health and well-being as the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic added financial and emotional stress — particularly for the most vulnerable community members, Nolan reported to the board.

“The very act of creating YOBI helped spur a shift in state-level policies,” according to his report. “Ultimately, YOBI joined 27 other pilots in California — making the state home to the plurality of guaranteed income pilots.”

At launch, all families in the Housing Support Program received benefits through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program who had at least one child under age 6 qualified to enroll in YOBI.

The program served 243 people: 96 adults and 147 children — boosting families above the California Poverty Measure for two years with an average monthly stipend of $1,289. They could do whatever they wanted with the money, but most used it for housing, food, child care and transportation.

“Program evaluation through the UC Davis Center for Regional Change found YOBI significantly improved housing stability,” Nolan stated. “From baseline to midpoint, YOBI families saw a 54% increase in renting or owning their home. Consistent with evaluations of other California-based programs, YOBI participants reported that their lives felt more stable.

The 23 staff members who worked on the program also reported that while it added to their workload their morale and job satisfaction improved, most likely because they thought they were making a difference.

It might seem strange to some, but “giving money” without strings attached to those in need really does help those who struggle to make ends meet. It’s why both parents work in some families, hold more than one job, can’t pay for day care, put enough food on the table, or find affordable housing.

It’s not clear to me how many “families” were served, but that small amount of money, $1,289, really did seem to help.

A presentation to supervisors also added a few quotes from families affected:

“Without YOBI it would be a struggle… my kids, it keeps a roof over their head, it keeps them with hot water, or a place to play, a place to call home.”

“Things like childcare, gas…even maintenance with the car…Sometimes it would help with rent…also other expenses that I pay as well, like life insurance and things like that.”

“My son’s growing like a weed…diapers, shoes, underwear…plus he goes to daycare…even his medication…”

And when the program ended:

“You know, now we don’t have YOBI again…we’re back to square one again without YOBI. We’re back to bills up high again.”

“Well, that’s it. I can’t… buy clothes for my children…and the food too. It’s difficult for me. It scares me a little bit… a fear that we are not going to be okay.”

Supervisors should really find a way to continue this program. It would be the human thing to do.

Jim Smith is the former editor of The Daily Democrat, retiring in 2021 after a 27-year career at the paper.