GWEN BATTIS (RIGHT), A PROJECT MANAGER WITH THE DENVER BASIC INCOME PROJECT, ADVOCATING FOR BASIC INCOME AT THE RALLY FOR BASIC INCOME IN SEPTEMBER 2023. | PHOTO COURTESY OF ARMANDO GENEYRO DENVER BASIC INCOME PROJECT FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE STORY BY ETHAN CLARK SHIFTING ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL WINDS have put one of Denver’s most effective strategies to solve homelessness at risk. The Denver Basic Income Project faces an uncertain future amid ongoing funding shortages and headwinds from a shifting political climate, putting hundreds of people facing income insecurity in Denver at risk of losing an important means of financial support. Mark Donovan, a Denver-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, started DBIP in 2020 to offer a new solution to reducing the rates of homelessness and poverty in the city: giving away free money. After launching the full pilot in 2022, the DBIP reported that these cash payments had an overwhelmingly positive impact on those in the program. Within just 10 months of receiving payments, around 45% of participants were residing in their own house or apartment. Additionally, they reported having more financial stability and being more capable of paying off bills without relying on emergency assistance. The study also revealed that this program positively impacted the average taxpayer, as there was a large reduction in the use of public services such as jail stays and emergency room visits. But DBIP officials said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston “pulled the rug out” from the program when he decided not to invest in the program in 2024, even though he previously endorsed it. Former Mayor Michael Hancock invested $2 million of Denver’s pandemic relief funds in DBIP in 2022. “We had some City Council folks who opted not to invest in us, which is what basically resulted in us having to stop payments that fall,” Gwen Battis, DBIP project manager, told Denver VOICE. “But we fundraise consistently just to be able to continue operating as a nonprofit.” Throughout the past several years, poverty and homelessness have become one of the most important issues facing individuals across the United States, especially in the Mile High City. Due to the rising cost of living, stagnating wages, and a tightening job market, among others, the number of people without access to reliable shelter has skyrocketed in cities like Denver. According to the Common Sense Institute, 2025 has set a record in homelessness across the Denver metropolitan area, with the homeless population rising by around 8% since 2024 and more than doubling since 2019. Denver and Jefferson counties have seen the highest increase, with Denver County rising by 86% since 2019 and Jefferson County rising by 170% since 2019. These record numbers come as the City of Denver proposes budget cuts to address the large deficit. The city’s current plan to tackle homelessness by providing them temporary housing in hotels has been met with heavy controversy, as it’s estimated to cost around $40,000 per person annually and hasn’t resulted in people transitioning to permanent housing in the way the city anticipated. Current spending on homelessness initiatives exceeds $50 million per year. In response to this problem, some cities have begun piloting Universal Basic Income programs. The programs provide no-strings-attached cash payments to certain groups facing financial instability. There are more than 160 similar programs across the country CITY FUNDING UPENDS FUTURE OF DBIP The success of DBIP allowed them to extend the program for another few years, Battis said. However, issues with the 10 DENVER VOICE November 2025
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