News Flash

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard joined local officials and community partners today to announce the launch of the first guaranteed basic income program in Westchester County. The Level Up Mayors for Guaranteed Income Pilot Program will provide 200 Mount Vernon families with an unrestricted cash payment of $500 per month for 12 months, totaling $6,000 for the year. The program directly addresses economic insecurity in the City, and helps to create a more equitable “dignity economy” in Mount Vernon.

Mayor Patterson-Howard has allocated $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds that will be directly distributed to recipients.

Mayors for Guaranteed Income is a network of municipal leaders advocating for a guaranteed income to ensure all Americans have an income floor. This program gives residents financial support and can directly impact their livelihood.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard stated: “We are committed to creating a dignity economy for the residents of the City of Mount Vernon - an economy that is sensitive to the needs of our family, friends, and loved ones around us. This innovative program is the first of its kind in Westchester County, and among the first in the region. It will allow families to decide how best to use unrestricted funds to meet their most essential needs like rent, food, utilities, transportation, and childcare. I fully support guaranteed income programs for our residents. No one should be ashamed to ask for help. Everyone needs help in this season.”

To be eligible for Level Up, applicants must:

• ●  Be residents of Mount Vernon,
• ●  Be over the age of 18 at the time of the application deadline
• ●  Have an income no more than 80% of 2022 CDBG Annual Income Limit

Applications will open at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, and run through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August. 5, 2022. Eligible residents can visit www.cmvny.com/levelup to apply or find answers to frequently asked questions about the program.

For additional information please visit cmvny.com or follow the city of Mount Vernon on social media CMVNY on Facebook, or mountvernonny on Instagram.

About The City of Mount Vernon
The city of Mount Vernon is a multicultural community located in Westchester County, New York. Mount Vernon was established as a village in 1853, and later became a city in 1892. Mount Vernon is a suburb of New York City and is immediately north of the borough of the Bronx. Mount Vernon is the 8th most populous city in the state of New York.