Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, different council members, launch program to offer direct money help to expectant moms who’re both homeless or on the verge of homelessness. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
Picture credit score: Gerardo Romo / NYC Council Media Unit
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The Metropolis Council will present “unconditional” direct money help to 161 expectant moms who’re homeless or on the verge of homelessness over the following three years beneath a brand new initiative launched on Wednesday.
The pilot initiative shall be administered by the assured earnings nonprofit The Bridge Mission, and goals to fight the monetary and well being dangers expectant moms and not using a steady residence face. These dangers embody being pushed into the town’s shelter system and diminished psychological and bodily well being each throughout and after being pregnant.
Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, throughout a Wednesday press convention unveiling the pilot program, mentioned it marks the primary time metropolis taxpayer {dollars} have been used to fund assured earnings funds.
“As a city and nation, we have the resources to improve maternal health, reduce child poverty, and ensure that every child and family has the opportunity to lead a healthy life,” Speaker Adams mentioned. “Investments like this, into our city’s mothers and children, have a generational impact, lasting far beyond the confines of this program.”
Below this system, based on Metropolis Council Member Crystal Hudson (D-Brooklyn), the Bridge Mission will give the expectant moms a $2,500 upfront stipend, adopted by $1,000 every month over the primary 15 months, after which $500 a month for the remaining 21 months. The month-to-month funds can be utilized for requirements reminiscent of paying lease, buying meals or affording pre-natal well being care.
“The bridge project’s groundbreaking initiative both addresses child poverty and promotes the long-term wellbering of New Yorkers,” Hudson mentioned. “It will ensure expectant mothers have consistent income that can be used for anything including housing or quality pre-natal care and that’s the beauty of this program, that this is all up to the mother’s discretion, and they have a right to make their own financial decisions.”
The scheme was licensed by council laws, sponsored by Hudson, handed in 2023 permitting the town to fund assured earnings pilot packages and is backed by $1.5 million included within the present metropolis price range.
Laura Clancy, government director of The Bridge Mission, mentioned moms who’ve already gone via the group’s program have reported “significant improvements” of their monetary stability and that they’re able to spend extra time with their younger infants.
“They have been able to keep up with bills, move into stable housing and make long-term investments in their career and their education,” Clancy mentioned. “These are not just statistics. They are stories of hope and resilience.”
