Mary’s Guarantee: A Bold Plan to Invest in Rochester’s Future
(February 6, 2025) - Democratic mayoral candidate and City Councilmember Mary Lupien today announced Mary’s Guarantee, a transformative plan to invest in Rochester families by ensuring guaranteed income, guaranteed housing, and guaranteed response. Lupien’s plan prioritizes direct support to those who need it most, creating a stronger, safer, and more stable community for all.
“Rochester families are working hard, but too many face impossible choices—between paying rent, buying food, or making sure their kids have the basics for school,” said Lupien. “We need bold leadership that puts people first. Mary’s Guarantee is about making sure no one in our city is left behind.”
Key Components of Mary’s Guarantee
Guaranteed Income
Families of Rochester City School District students will receive a monthly stipend to support their children’s success.
Why it matters: Direct cash assistance allows families to cover essentials, whether it’s winter clothing, school supplies, or rent to prevent eviction.
How it will be funded: A mix of general operating funds, state and federal grants, and philanthropic partnerships.
Guaranteed Housing
Every Rochester resident will have access to safe, affordable housing through a Housing First model.
Why it works: Cities that have adopted this approach, like Houston and Salt Lake City, have significantly reduced homelessness and saved taxpayer dollars on shelters and emergency services.
How it will be funded: A full review of existing housing funds, plus state and federal resources to build, acquire, and rehabilitate truly affordable housing.
Guaranteed Response
Every 911 caller will receive the appropriate response for their situation—whether that’s police for emergencies or trained professionals for mental health crises and quality-of-life concerns.
Why it matters: Freeing up police for urgent cases and deploying trained responders for nonviolent situations improves public safety for everyone.
How it will be funded: Redirecting existing operating dollars and securing state and federal grants to build a modern response system.
A Realistic, Phased-In Approach
Mary’s Guarantee will be rolled out in phases to ensure sustainability, with clear benchmarks to track progress. Funding will come from multiple sources, and every dollar will be used effectively to deliver measurable results for Rochester residents.
“This isn’t just a promise—it’s a plan,” Lupien added. “We know these solutions work because other cities have done it. Now it’s Rochester’s turn.”
Click here for more details and information on Mary’s Guarantee.
