Jarun Laws, a 51-year-old Denver resident, has been living out of his car for almost a decade. His challenging breakup in 2012 led to homelessness, making it difficult for him to secure stable housing despite working as a cook. In 2022, the Denver Basic Income Program (DBIP) provided Laws with a significant break by granting him $12,000 over a year for rent, groceries, and utilities. During the program, he secured an apartment, experienced improved living conditions, and connected with his children more frequently.
Denver Extends Basic Income Program to Tackle Limitations and Support Participants
However, the program concluded in November, and despite working two jobs, Laws found it challenging to maintain his apartment. This highlights the limitation of the Basic Income Program in providing extended financial success to participants.
Denver has decided to extend the DBIP for another six months, providing participants with additional financial support. The program, initiated in 2021 with $2 million from the city, aimed to assist over 800 participants in getting back on their feet. Participants received either $1,000 monthly, $500 monthly with $6,500 upfront, or $50 each month as a control group for the first year.
All participant groups reported significant improvements in their quality of life, with larger payments resulting in the most substantial gains. However, the temporary nature of many guaranteed-income plans poses challenges in tracking long-term changes.
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Jarun Laws’ Journey to Stability and Happiness with the Extended Basic Income Program
Jarun Laws, having faced a decade of hardship, found support through the DBIP, allowing him to experience stability, safety, and happiness. Despite setbacks after the program ended, Laws will receive another $1,000 for six months as part of the extended program, providing a lifeline for him to regain stability and potentially secure more permanent housing.
Laws expressed relief and gratitude, emphasizing the positive impact of the Basic Income Program on his life.
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