Homelessness is a rising problem in the city of Denver, USA. To solve this issue the government will be providing the homeless citizens with $12,000, a year. This sum of money will be provided to 140 people to cover all of their housing expenses.
140 homeless citizens will be provided $1000/month
Under the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP), 140 homeless citizens will be provided $1000/month as funds. Officials said, for a homeless person regular income is as important as housing and shelter. Trans-persons, women, gender non-conforming individuals, and families will be beneficiaries of this scheme.
Project to begin in November
Denver Mayor Michael B Hancock says a regular source of income is as important as necessities such as housing and shelter for a homeless person. The initiative is also to decrease crime rates and combat encampments in the Mile-High City. Hence, Homeless citizens will be receiving funds from November.
The program will cost about $9 million and fund 820 destitute in the long run
Denver has received a $2 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act for a pilot test of the DBIP. Earlier, the city council approved the contract. The program will cost about $9 million and fund 820 destitute in the long run. And, rest of the required funds will be raised through charity.
A non-profit organization to track expenditure
A cell phone will be given to people with a full year of service. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, a non-profit private organization, will track how the homeless spend their money. They will ensure they have the necessary items, including furniture, accommodations, and kitchen supplies. The University of Denver’s Center for Housing and Homelessness Research will keep a track of this program and will let us know the result in 2024.