Denver Basic Income Project

The Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) is pioneering research on the impact of providing guaranteed income (GI) to individuals experiencing homelessness. As the largest study of its kind in the United States, DBIP is breaking new ground in exploring how direct cash assistance can transform lives and communities. To date, the project has distributed $10.8 million to over 800 individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Denver.

Research Our research partner, the University of Denver’s Center for Housing and Homelessness Research, has implemented a rigorous mixed-methods randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of guaranteed income compared to traditional care and services. A comprehensive overview of our research methods is available on the DBIP website.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups, receiving the following cash payments:

Group A: $1,000 per month for 12 months, totaling $12,000.

Group B: An upfront payment of $6,500, followed by $500 per month for 11 months, totaling $12,000.

Group C: $50 per month for 12 months, totaling $600.

Findings The results from Year One are inspiring and demonstrate the tangible impact of guaranteed income:

Housing Stability: All groups showed significant improvements in housing outcomes, including increased rental and home ownership rates and reduced nights spent unsheltered.

Financial Wellbeing: Participants reported greater financial stability, increased ability to pay bills, and reduced reliance on emergency assistance.

Public Cost Savings: Analysis revealed substantial savings in public spending, with reductions in emergency room visits, hospital stays, and incarceration rates.

View all research reports on our website.

These results underscore the potential of guaranteed income to create systemic change. However, to deepen our understanding, longitudinal studies are essential. We remain committed to studying this intervention over multiple years to uncover its long-term effects.