Part of the Solution: Transit’s Role in Addressing Homelessness

Transit agencies are at the forefront of the crisis of homelessness in the United States. American leaders and policymakers' failure to address the root causes of homelessness has led to an increased presence of people experiencing homelessness in public spaces, including transit. Some riders have reacted to this with frustration. Agencies are scrambling for a solution, fearing that perceived safety issues will push riders away from transit. This report highlights transit agencies that have partnered with social service providers to put unhoused riders on the path to receiving the care they need. It draws on case studies from five cities to demonstrate how agencies can adopt proven and empathetic solutions to address homelessness on their systems.