Empowering Black Mothers through the Multnomah Mother's Trust
Overview
This case study examines the Multnomah Mother’s Trust, a guaranteed income pilot program funded by Multnomah County’s using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds that provided $500 in monthly direct cash assistance to 100 Black mothers living in Multnomah County, Oregon over a 24-month period from May 2022 through June 2024. The case study reviews the program's genesis, design, implementation, and early outcomes, offering insights into how thoughtfully designed guaranteed income programs can contribute to economic stability and for Black mothers.
Key Findings
The County’s investment in the Trust was driven by its prioritization of racial equity in its pandemic response, the Multnomah Idea Lab’s focus on helping Black women, prior positive experiences with direct cash assistance programs, and the success of the Magnolia Mother’s Trust guaranteed income project.
As a participatory research project, the Trust developed additional wealth-building strategies, including the Finna Act Black (FAB) program which provides peer support, counseling, down payment assistance, and debt relief to help participants become homeowners.
The Trust has influenced the County’s policy agenda, inspiring the County to adopt a similar basic income model for refugees, asylees, and formerly incarcerated men, and helping to elevate basic income as a policy priority locally and statewide.
While the formal evaluation is forthcoming, participants in the Trust have reported positive financial outcomes such as debt reduction and saving up for a downpayment.
Implications for Policy and Practice
Local policymakers should consider implementing guaranteed income programs that center the needs and experiences of Black mothers.
The Trust model demonstrates how local governments can address economic insecurity through investments and programs that emphasize unconditionality, respect for individual autonomy, and participant knowledge.
Addressing systemic inequities requires targeted reforms that align with racial and gender equity principles to dismantle historical barriers to opportunity.
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