Broward County Transit Security Program Provides Services to Unhoused Riders

The agency worked with local partners to provide housing referrals and health services to homeless residents who frequent the transit system.

1 minute read

May 10, 2024, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Colorful Lauderhill Transit Center at night.

Lauderhill Transit Center in Lauderhill, Florida. | Rob Olivera, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons / Lauderhill Transit Center

Broward County Transit (BCT) is launching a new program that aims to take a ‘compassionate’ approach to improving transit security and addressing the needs of unhoused riders.

According to an article in Mass Transit, Project Homeless Connect is a partnership with the Broward County Human Services Division of Housing Options, Solutions and Support (HOSS-D) team and community partners that began in November of last year. “A dedicated team of street outreach workers that includes a licensed clinical practitioner began engaging, assessing and providing shelter and housing referrals to the people served in this pilot.”

Since its launch in February, the program has connected with 324 unhoused residents that frequent the transit system, sheltered 19 individuals, connected 20 people to addiction recovery services, and provided medical care for one person. “Beyond these direct interventions, the project also improved the environment at the transit center as the individual’s belongings were humanly cared for and stored and the entire terminal was freshened-up through deep cleaning, new lighting and other customer amenities.”

Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Mass Transit

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA