Learn More About the Intersection of Transit and Homelessness

When examining the average household expenses in 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics listed transportation as the second largest expense right behind housing costs. No wonder then, that we see reports and studies cite the lack of transportation as a contributor to homelessness. Studies have shown that public transit and walking are the most common means of transportation for people experiencing homelessness. Most people relied on social service providers to help them pay for transit.

In recent years, many nonprofits serving people experiencing homelessness have created Uber or Lyft accounts to help fill in the transportation gaps to help ensure people get to appointments on time. But nonprofits are only able to use these services sporadically due to the high cost. Bus passes are another option used by nonprofits. Usually, they hand out day passes for clients to see a doctor, a mental health provider, or to get to a government office to access diverse needs such as getting food stamps, ID replacements, birth certificates, etc., or simply to get to a shelter.