Denver’s basic income pilot — which first started payments in fall 2022 — focused on over 800 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.

Denver released the project’s one-year report on June 18, showing that 45% of participants secured their own house or apartment after receiving basic income for 10 months. They also experienced fewer emergency room visits, nights spent in a hospital or a temporary shelter, and jail stays. The report estimates that this reduction in public service use saved the city $589,214.

  • pelespiritOPM
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    5 months ago

    Thank you for doing the math, it seemed hinky to me. I’m trusting you though, lol.

    • verity_kindle
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      5 months ago

      No problem, thank you for posting this, I’m fascinated by how this article is constructed.