Denver gave homeless people cash and now half of them live in their own place. While humanitarian middlemen like SNAP and Medicaid impose severe spending restrictions, basic income relies on trust. Denver's basic income pilot β which first started payments in fall β focused on over Coloradans experiencing homelessness, including people living in cars, temporary shelters, the outdoors, or other non-fixed living situations.
Participants like Laws were given direct cash payments, no strings attached, and could spend the money on whatever they needed. They also experienced fewer emergency room visits, nights spent in a hospital or a temporary shelter, and jail stays. Basic income programs like Denver's have become a popular strategy to reduce poverty in US cities. Compared to traditional social services like SNAP or Medicaid, basic income allows participants to spend the money where they need it most.
Denver's report found that basic income primarily helped participants pay for immediate expenses β like transportation, hygiene, clothes, and groceries. Affording recurring bills like rent, healthcare, or debt payments was also a top priority for most families. Participants in each payment group reported increased financial stability and reduced reliance on emergency financial assistance programs. Read the whole thing here.
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