Posted on 01/21/2025
Councilmember Price co-introduced a motion with Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez to establish Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) and/or emergency cash assistance programs for domestic service workers affected by the January wildfires.
The Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and other fires have severely impacted our communities, resulting in the destruction of thousands of homes, businesses, and essential infrastructure. As a result of the fires, numerous domestic service workers—including housekeepers, landscapers, nannies, and caretakers—have lost their employment. Additionally, many workers have been displaced due to the destruction of local businesses and restaurants.
According to the UCLA Labor Center, 75 percent of domestic service workers are Latinx, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or Black women. Furthermore, 58 percent are foreign-born, with a significant proportion being middle-aged or older. These individuals are among the lowest wage earners, with 77 percent earning a median hourly wage of just $10.79.
The Council has instructed the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), with the assistance of the City Administrative Officer (CAO), to report back with recommendations for a GBI program and/or emergency cash assistance program for workers experiencing job loss.