Transportation access is one of the biggest factors in keeping people out of homelessness. Cities can help with discounted fares and last-mile connections.
A piece in CALmatters explores the opportunity for California cities to provide transportation assistance as a preventative measure to fight homelessness and poverty.
Research has shown that transportation access is the single biggest factor in helping people avoid homelessness; it's critical to holding down a job, getting to school, keeping service appointments, and many more aspects of daily life.
Yet transportation is also unaffordable to many people struggling with poverty, especially since many cities don't offer subsidies for lower-income transit riders. Seattle's transit programs, however, are praised by advocates as models for California cities: King County launched low-income discounted fares in 2015 and distributes free passes through homeless service organizations, and the city of Seattle recently made passes free for high school students.
But even free transit is no good if it doesn't get you where you need to go. A study in San Diego found that 30 times as many jobs were accessible by car than by public transit—but that the situation could be improved by improving connections to transit stations.
Read the full story: How a transportation safety net could keep more people off the streets
Means-Based, Transit-Fare Discounts Take a Leap Forward in the Big Apple
The 2019 New York City budget includes $106 million to subsidize half the transit fare for qualified residents for six months. The city joins the ranks of Seattle, Toronto, and the Bay Area that offer income-based discounts for transit fares.
Germany Launches €49 Nationwide Transit Pass
The low-cost monthly ticket is a boon for some commuters and urban travelers, but critics of the program question the lack of investment in expanding train service to underserved rural parts of the country.
How Transit Agencies Can Offer Supportive Services
As more people experiencing homelessness seek shelter in transit facilities, transit agencies are looking for ways to offer assistance and reduce interactions with law enforcement.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority