The article discusses Google’s philanthropic arm, Alphabet, exploring the idea of a guaranteed basic income (GBI) to tackle homelessness and the housing crisis in the San Francisco Bay Area. The key points are: 1) Alphabet’s charitable arm, Google.org, is considering a GBI pilot program that would provide recurring cash payments to homeless individuals and families. 2) The program aims to address the root causes of homelessness, such as lack of affordable housing and income instability. 3) Google.org is collaborating with organizations like GiveDirectly to study the feasibility and potential impact of a GBI program. 4) The pilot program could start as early as 2024 and would target specific regions in the Bay Area with high rates of homelessness. 5) Critics argue that a GBI program may not be a long-term solution and could incentivize people to remain homeless, while proponents believe it could provide a safety net and help individuals get back on their feet.