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Bussed Out: How America Moves its Homeless

The Guardian
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
Click here for more.
How America Moves its Homeless
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Giving Compass’ Take:

• Alastair Gee examines the practice of offering homeless people free bus tickets to relocate. While relocation may provide a fresh start, many homeless people were hurt by the practice. 

• Are relocation programs really a viable answer to the homelessness crisis — or are they just an attempt for a quick fix? What would be a more sustainable way to help people get back on their feet?

• Learn why supportive housing is a better method of addressing homelessness.


Cities have been offering homeless people free bus tickets to relocate elsewhere for at least three decades. In recent years, homeless relocation programs have become more common, sprouting up in new cities across the country and costing the public millions of dollars.

But until now there has never been a systematic, nationwide assessment of the consequences. Where are these people being moved to? What impact are these programs having on the cities that send and the cities that receive them? And what happens to these homeless people after they reach their destination?

In an 18-month investigation, the Guardian has conducted the first detailed analysis of America’s homeless relocation programs, compiling a database of around 34,240 journeys and analyzing their effect on cities and people.

The Guardian has determined the outcomes of several dozen journeys based on interviews with homeless people who were relocated and friends and relatives who received them at their destination, and the shelter managers, police officers and outreach workers who supplied them with their one-way tickets.

Some of these journeys provide a route out of homelessness, and many recipients of free tickets said they are grateful for the opportunity for a fresh start. Returning to places they previously lived, many rediscover old support networks, finding a safe place to sleep, caring friends or family, and the stepping stones that lead, eventually, to their own home.

People are routinely sent thousands of miles away after only a cursory check by authorities to establish they have a suitable place to stay once they get there. Some said they feel pressured into taking tickets, and others described ending up on the streets within weeks of their arrival.

Jeff Weinberger, co-founder of the Florida Homelessness Action Coalition, a not-for-profit that operates in a state with four bus programs, said the schemes are a “smoke-and-mirrors ruse tantamount to shifting around the deck chairs on the Titanic rather than reducing homelessness”.

Read the full article about moving America’s homeless by Alastair Gee at The Guardian.

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Interested in learning more about Homeless and Housing? Other readers at Giving Compass found the following articles helpful for impact giving related to Homeless and Housing.

  • This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
    Click here for more.
    State Index on Youth Homelessness

    Giving Compass' Take: • The State Index on Youth Homelessness provides a picture of the current state of youth homelessness across the country and specific recommendations for policy, systems, and environmental changes to reduce youth homelessness.  • How can donors partner with organizations to address these gaps? What policies are the most impactful? Which are the most feasible?  • Find out why LGBTQ youth are more likely to be homeless.  Key Findings: With the highest score being 65, there is still room for improvement in states that ranked near the top. Only 17 states met over half of the Index’s criteria and recommendations while six states failed to meet even a third of the criteria. The states that scored the least and are at the bottom of the rankings also performed worse on the Index’s key recommendations. Those that scored at the top tend to have more resources, funding and advocacy dedicated to preventing and ending youth homelessness. While each state’s performance across different criteria varied, youth experiencing homelessness generally face an environment that is hostile to and not supportive of their needs. States need to do a better job of incorporating the voices of youth in their work, prioritizing youth homelessness, increasing awareness for youth homelessness, and protecting vulnerable groups that are disproportionately represented among youth experiencing homelessness. Access to education and appropriate recognition of youth homelessness in laws, statutes, and regulations need to be prioritized across states. States need to invest in ensuring that the educational needs of students experiencing homelessness are met. Additionally, states need to dedicate more funding and resources to prevent and end youth homelessness. Washington and Massachusetts are particularly notable for meeting the most criteria and recommendations across laws, policies, systems, and environment in the Index. California is notable for having progressive laws and policies that benefit and protect youth experiencing homelessness. Washington along with Minnesota have the most systems within the Index to end youth homelessness. Meanwhile, Connecticut and the District of Columbia had the highest scores within the environments metrics. Many states lack a state law that provides adequate funding to address youth homelessness and comprehensive support services for youth who have run away and/or are experiencing homelessness. Most states are failing to prioritize the education rights of youth experiencing homelessness. Youth experiencing homelessness are still criminalized for behavior directly related to experiencing homelessness in some states. Many states lack appropriate recognition of homeless youth in their laws, policies, and regulations. Throughout the country, justice-involved youth are at risk of experiencing homelessness upon discharge. Many states restrict the contract rights (for example, the right to enter into a lease or a legally binding contract for services) of unaccompanied homeless youth living on their own and make it difficult or impossible to legally live independently. Many states have barriers to accessing critical supports and services. Many states have not made federal benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) accessible to youth experiencing homelessness.


Are you ready to give?

In addition to learning and connecting with others, taking action is a key step towards becoming an impact giver. If you are interested in giving with impact for Homeless and Housing take a look at these Giving Funds, Charitable Organizations or Projects.

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