Denver Announces Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot

Residents who have experienced homelessness will receive monthly cash payments to help them find and stay in stable, long-term housing.

1 minute read

September 22, 2022, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Denver

Arina P Habich / Shutterstock

Denver is the latest U.S. city to launch a basic income pilot program as part of the city’s efforts to eliminate homelessness through a ‘Housing First’ strategy, reports Kalena Thomhave in Smart Cities Dive.

The program is specifically aimed at people experiencing homelessness and will give cash assistance to 820 people for one year. “While programs range in size and scope, the Denver project provides each participating household with a maximum of $12,000 over the course of a year, divided into monthly cash payments, making it one of the more generous initiatives.”

Other basic income programs have shown positive results, such as Stockton, the first U.S. city to implement such a program in 2019. “In 2021, an evaluation revealed that basic income recipients reported increased health, more stable income, and more full-time employment compared with the control group.”

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 in Smart Cities Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic