The Power of Giving Cash to Homeless People

Invisible People

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mark Donovan, Founder & Executive Director of The Denver Basic Income Project, to discuss a revolutionary approach to addressing homelessness: giving money directly to those in need. Mark shares how the project began in response to the economic fallout of COVID-19 and how it has since become the largest guaranteed income experiment in the U.S. focused on the homeless population. “Cash is really powerful, it’s immediate, it’s empowering,” says Mark. He explains the transformative impact of providing direct cash assistance, debunking common myths, and highlighting the positive outcomes they’ve seen. “In the group that received $1,000 a month, homelessness dropped to zero at six months.” Listen in as Mark talks about the data supporting this approach, the challenges faced, and the hope it brings to communities. He also discusses the need for scalable solutions and how individuals and cities can get involved in this groundbreaking initiative. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in innovative solutions to homelessness and economic justice. Animation referenced: The Truth About Giving Money to Homeless People Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis

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Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change, and thoughtful dialogue around poverty and homelessness.