Denver Basic Income Project
The Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivered unconditional cash payments to over 800 people experiencing homelessness in Denver, Colorado, in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) research design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three payment groups ($1,000/month, $6,500 lump sum plus $500/month, or a $50/month control) for 12 months, with a subset of cohorts extended into a second year through 2024. The program is led by DBIP in partnership with the University of Denver's Center for Housing and Homelessness Research (research/evaluation) and was funded through a mix of city government, philanthropic foundation, and private donor support. Year-one findings (published June 2024) showed significant housing, financial, and public-cost-savings improvements. As of 2026, DBIP has paused new cash disbursement rounds and is repositioning as a broader participant-centered organization while advocating for renewed city guaranteed-income funding.
Unhoused/Homelessness, Randomized Controlled Trial, Multi-arm study design, University research partnership, Colorado
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Denver Basic Income Project
- City
- Denver
- State / Province
- Colorado
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 303 305 4066
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 807
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 12,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 600 USD
- Payment frequency
- Variable
- How long the program lasts
- 20 months
- Distribution Type
- Direct deposit to bank account, Reloadable debit card (GiveCard)
- Benefit details
Participants were randomized into three groups: Group A received 12 monthly payments of $1,000 ($12,000 total); Group B received an initial lump sum of $6,500 plus 11 monthly payments of $500 ($12,000 total); Group C (control) received 12 monthly payments of $50 ($600 total). DBIP reports having deployed over $10.8 million to more than 800 unhoused participants as of its 2024 impact report. Some cohorts received extended second-year payments after the city and other funders renewed support in late 2023/2024, though exact per-participant totals for extended cohorts are not fully documented in public reports. Funds were unconditional, with no restrictions on use.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible individuals had to be 18 years or older, residing in Denver, unhoused per DBIP's definition of homelessness, and connected to (referred by) a Denver-based community organization partnering with DBIP. Applicants were also screened using the BASIS-24 mental health instrument to exclude those for whom active psychosis or unmanaged substance use would interfere with participation (with a self-report-of-treatment exception at lower score thresholds). Enrollment was managed entirely through partner CBOs; there was no general public application process.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
Housing
- Housing status
- Homeless
Geography
- US states covered
- Colorado
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Denver
- Counties covered
- Denver
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Optional
- Research / participation requirements
Research was led by the University of Denver's Center for Housing and Homelessness Research (Graduate School of Social Work) using a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial. Of 807 enrolled participants, about 92-93% voluntarily opted into the research component. Year-one (12-month) quantitative and qualitative reports were published June 2024, finding: significant housing improvements across all three payment groups (about 45% of previously unsheltered Group A participants secured housing by month 10, vs. ~25-28% in Groups B/C); increased full-time employment and financial stability; and a reduction in public service utilization (ER visits, hospital nights, jail stays) estimated to save taxpayers roughly $589,000. A peer-reviewed cost-benefit analysis was later published in the Journal of Social Service Research (2025).
Application Process
- How to apply
Enrollment was not open to direct public application. Prospective participants were referred and connected through Denver-based community-based organizations (CBOs) partnering with DBIP (e.g., Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, The Gathering Place, Servicios de la Raza, Colorado Village Collaborative, and others), then screened for inclusion criteria. Enrollment for the RCT cohorts closed after the 2022 enrollment period; no active rolling application exists as of 2026.
- Selection process
Eligible individuals referred by partner CBOs were screened against inclusion criteria (age 18+, Denver residency, homelessness status, CBO connection, and BASIS-24 mental health/substance use screening) and, if eligible, randomly assigned via the RCT design to one of three payment groups (Group A: $1,000/month; Group B: $6,500 lump sum + $500/month; Group C control: $50/month).
