Denver Basic Income Project

We are delivering direct cash assistance to our unhoused neighbors in Denver. Direct cash is a powerful and immediate way to reduce health inequity and build a more just society centered around human thriving. The Denver Basic Income Project is investing in people and their ability to succeed when given trust, hope, and a financial foundation.

SPENDING BREAKDOWN

The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in Los Angeles County, CA. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants’ pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.

Food and groceries accounted for the largest share of spending, at 35.32%, followed by Retail sales and services (31.27%) and Transport related expenses (10.07%).

CHILD TAX CREDIT

The state of Colorado saw significant reduction in poverty as a result of the largest, national pilot in the Child Tax Credit that was implemented as a result of the Covid Pandemic.

This program provided tax credit for eligible taxpayers with qualifying children in the form of cash payouts. The credit amount varied based on factors like the number of qualifying children and the taxpayer’s income. It can lower tax liability or result in a tax refund.

During the course of this pilot, it has been proven to reduce poverty for families with dependent children – in every state.

Poverty Rate (Under new tax credit)

Percentage point reduction

4.3%

Percent change

41.7%

Poverty Rate (Current Law)

10.3%

DEMOGRAPHICS

Basic Information

sample size (Treatment Group)

900

Avg. Age of Respondent (years)

Children in Households

Have Children in Household

1 %

No Children in Household

5 %

Avg. children in Household

Avg. Household size

Gender

Male

1 %

Female

5 %

Other

5 %

Ethnicity

Hispanic

1 %

Non-Hispanic

Race

White

1 %

African American

5 %

American Indian/ Alaska Native

5 %

Asian

1 %

Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander

5 %

Latino

5 %

Other/ Mixed

5 %

Marital Status

Single

5 %

Married

5 %

Partnered/ in-relationship

5 %

Primary language at Home

English

5 %

Spanish

5 %

Other

5 %

Annual Household Income (in $USD)

Mean

$ 14000

Median

$ 10800

Featured Story

Anonymous

One of the participants told researchers, “I have gotten into some housing, and it’s helped me a lot with doing that to help me pay off a lot of my debt.” Another participant from the $50-a-month group said, “It helps me put food on the table when I don’t have any money or I run out of my food stamps.” In response, Donovan says, “I’m extremely pleased with where we are. This income floor creates stability, an accelerated path toward safety, housing, work.” The study was validating, he adds, noting, “It proves our theory of change is right.”

Kipp is a 65-year-old female living in Long Beach. She had been a touring musician for almost twenty years when she became ill and started teaching guitar lessons. Her business was doing well until the pandemic hit; within two weeks, she lost all but one of her students. She is using some of the money to take a business course and buy a video camera to help launch her business. She said, “I have breathing room because, when you’re stressed out, you end up holding your breath. Now I’m breathing, I’m flowing, I’m creating, I’m learning a lot of different stuff. The Breathe program has helped me on a lot of levels.”

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Kipp

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PATRIC

Patric is a 31 year old male living in Inglewood. He had just left working for the post office and was trying to figure things out. He says, “I was in between jobs and trying to figure out everything. I’ve been able to get rent relief and get help with other bills. And they’re helping me in developing my career. By the end of the program, I’m hoping to be in a position to make a big purchase, like a house.”

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