July 2024 Education Series: Economics of Homelessness

A recording of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless July 2024 virtual Education Series: Economics and Homelessness: Basic Income and Other Benefits on Thursday, July 18.
Study after study demonstrate that homelessness is an affordable housing problem. While the lack of housing is an issue for individuals at many economic levels, it is most pressing for those experiencing economic hardship including individuals and families with low incomes, receiving disability or social security benefits, and without generational wealth.
For extremely low-income individuals, (those making 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less) there are only 26 affordable and available rental units per 100 renters. A Coloradan making minimum wage would need to work 94 hours per week to afford a 2-bedroom apartment.
Fully understanding the economics of homelessness necessitates considering both the lack of affordable housing and barriers to economic justice. The growing national and local conversation on basic income and other upstream economic solutions is critical in this consideration. Join a panel of local experts to learn how initiatives around basic income, and expansion of benefits related to food, medical services, and more assist in prevention of and solutions to homelessness.
Panelists include:
-Mark Donovan, Founder and Executive Director, Denver Basic Income Project
-Alison Friedman-Phillips Director of Programs, Policy, & Advocacy, Women's Foundation of Colorado
-Luz Macias, Bilingual Enrollment Specialist at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
This session is designed for community members who want to listen, learn, ask questions, advocate, and engage with important information on homelessness and proposed solutions to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.