Finally, a simple solution to end hunger and homelessness for the deserving poor
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movin’ on up
Denver has allocated $2million from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund the program, which will be run by the Denver Basic Income Project
The program, which in total will cost around $ 9 million, is seeking to help around 820 people, but the $ 2 million provided by the city will fund around 140 people
The program will be divided into three groups with 260 receiving $6,500 upfront then $500 a month for 12 months
Another 260 will get $1,000 a month for 12 months and 300 will get $50 stipends to complete surveys to help see how the program is working
The participants will be chosen at random but will largely be women, transgender and non-binary individuals
'The pandemic has had a really big impact on the state of homelessness in our community that we've seen increased numbers of families seeking shelter, as well as, an increase number of women using our shelter system,' Angie Nelson, deputy director of Housing Stability and Homelessness Resolution, told ABC 7.
The program is divided into three different groups, with 260 receiving $6,500 up front and then getting $500 a month for 12 months; another 260 will receive $1,000 a month for 12 months; and the control group of 300 will get a $50-a-month stipend to complete surveys.
All participants will also get a free cell phone and a year of service.
In addition, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless will track how people use the money, as well as help participants get the things they need - such as furniture and kitchen supplies - and places to stay.
Nelson said some of the participants will come from those already using the city's shelter services, but they cannot have severe mental health or substance issues, according to Axios Denver. [which will reduce the actual cost of the program to zero, because only six such people exist — ED]
Of course, there are always a few Debby Downers out there: “Critics of of the programs worry the free money will lead to people taking advantage of the system and lazier workers”; but “that’s just crazy,” Petunia Patchouli (Xem, Xyr, Xyrs) told FWIW. “I’ll be using this money to move off the street, finish high school, and get a Phd in Victimhood Ceramics. Then I’ll get a good government job where I don’t have to show up or do anything, and I’ll be the model socialist citizen they want me to be.
“Of course”, Xyr continued, “it’s possible that I’ll rip out the copper plumbing in my new apartment, sell the furniture, kick holes in the walls, rape my neighbor, and blow the whole wad on crack, but that seems unlikely, doesn’t it?”
