Asheville Reparations Commission Advocates for Guaranteed Income

The Community Reparations Commission in Asheville, North Carolina, has recently released a list of recommendations after more than two years of work. These recommendations include a guaranteed income program for individuals with low incomes and assets, as well as the establishment of a reparations accountability council.

Established in March 2022, the 25-member commission was tasked with providing short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations to address the effects of systemic racism in both public and private sectors.

One key recommendation from the commission is the creation of a guaranteed income program to ensure that individuals with low incomes and assets receive monthly cash payments without any work requirements. The program is intended to supplement the existing social safety net and promote racial and gender equity.

In addition, the commission proposes the establishment of a reparations accountability council to determine the parameters of the program, specifically benefiting individuals impacted by historic wage and employment discrimination.

Further justifying their recommendations, the commission highlights the impacts of discriminatory wages, disproportionate unemployment rates, and urban renewal projects that have further marginalized Black communities in the city and county.

Another recommendation is to provide additional support to legacy neighborhoods and public housing communities through grants of at least $250,000 per community to address the harm caused by redlining practices.

The commission also suggests the construction of an economic development center for Black residents of Asheville, which would operate as a think tank to promote economic opportunities.

The proposed reparations accountability council would oversee approved projects and ensure their successful implementation.

More recommendations are anticipated from the commission in the coming weeks as they continue their work to address the impacts of systemic racism in Asheville.