The first-year results for the Denver Basic Income Project prove that solving homelessness requires a policy more complex than simply providing cash.

The Denver Basic Income Project aimed to “test the feasibility and impact of guaranteed income for unhoused people.” The study featured three different payment groups. Group A participants received 12 monthly cash payments of $1,000. Group B participants received an initial payment of $6,500 and then $500 over the next 11 months. Group C participants got the short end of the stick and received 12 monthly cash payments of $50 for a total of $600 over the 12 months.