Mayor London Breed of San Francisco has recently initiated a significant change in policy regarding homelessness in the city. Under this new directive, city workers are now required to first offer homeless individuals a bus or train ticket to another destination before providing shelter beds or other services. This move has sparked considerable discussion, particularly given the increased focus on busing as a central component of the city’s strategy to address homelessness.
While San Francisco is attracting attention for its new approach, various California cities and organizations have been facilitating similar programs discreetly, moving unhoused individuals across the country. In fact, a new initiative is set to begin in early 2024. Such programs can be life-changing for those who wish to return to families in another location or need assistance getting home due to employment or housing issues that have fallen through. However, some activists express concerns that these measures may be utilized coercively, pushing homeless individuals out of sight rather than offering meaningful assistance. The aftermath of being bused away raises questions about the well-being of those relocated—whether they reunite with loved ones or find themselves homeless once again in a new environment.
“It’s essential to provide the opportunity for individuals to return to their home communities, as this can be a critical service and a means to reconnect families,” remarked Niki Jones, executive director of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness. She emphasized that, when executed genuinely, such initiatives can serve as a valuable intervention.
The level of due diligence in these relocation programs varies among organizations. For example, a nonprofit dedicated to serving homeless youth in Los Angeles conducts thorough checks before relocating clients, ensuring they have a secure destination by contacting their families. In contrast, one of San Francisco’s programs only requires clients to have a general connection to their new city.
With mounting pressure on city officials to address homeless encampments, including demands from Governor Gavin Newsom, the relocation of unhoused individuals has been deemed a cost-effective solution compared to providing comprehensive shelter options. However, the number of individuals who can benefit from these programs tends to be small, as data indicates that the majority of homeless individuals are originally from the county they are currently in. Many individuals experiencing homelessness also struggle with issues of addiction and damaged relationships, making it challenging to find support elsewhere.
In a recent move to further this policy shift, Mayor Breed mandated that all city agencies “offer and incentivize” the busing program ahead of all other services in an effort to diminish tent encampments within the city. Those who choose not to accept help may face the risk of arrest for camping illegally in public areas.
San Francisco has a long history of providing bus tickets to the unhoused, with programs in place for about twenty years, according to Emily Cohen, deputy director of communications and legislative affairs for the city’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. The usage of these services peaked before the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted travel and halted many relocations. Mayor Breed’s recent directive aims to revitalize this program.
Amidst these developments, shifts in the demographics of San Francisco’s homeless population have been noted. In this year’s point-in-time count, 41% reported having lived in another city or state before losing their housing, marking an increase from 29% in two years. “An increasing number of people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco aren’t originally from here,” Cohen added.
The city operates three programs aiding individuals in relocating beyond its borders. “Journey Home,” which launched in September 2023, is characterized by its low barrier to entry. Unlike other programs that require clients to forge a detailed transition plan with case managers, Journey Home simply asks for proof of connection to the destination city, such as a call to a friend or relative there, or even an ID reflecting a previous address. The swift application process can allow clients to transition from intake to boarding a bus within a couple of days.
Since July of the previous year, San Francisco has facilitated the relocation of 1,039 individuals using various programs. Notably, the number of participants in the Journey Home program rose sharply following the policy change in August, indicating a renewed interest in the relocation offer.
While Lukas Illa, a human rights advocate with the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, acknowledges the necessity of support for those wanting to move, he questions the intent behind Journey Home. He asserts that the choice to leave should rest solely with the individual, a sentiment he feels may be compromised when law enforcement is involved in offering transportation options.
Cohen contends that participation in these programs is entirely voluntary, aimed at empowering individuals to reconnect with family in a supportive environment.
Additionally, other cities are exploring similar relocation programs. San Jose has earmarked $200,000 to create a new program named Homeward Bound, scheduled to kick off in February. This funding can be allocated for travel costs or utility assistance for the host family. Tasha Dean, a spokesperson for Mayor Matt Mahan, underscored the practical and impactful nature of reconnecting individuals experiencing homelessness with supportive family members.
Sacramento County has had similar services available, albeit with limited uptake, while Los Angeles has various nonprofits that also assist individuals wishing to reunite with family. Beyond California, organizations in other states have launched their own busing initiatives, with some sending individuals to destinations within California.
Tracking the outcomes of relocated individuals poses significant challenges. Of the 151 individuals moved from San Francisco since August, a notable portion went to various states, including California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. The post-relocation status of these individuals remains difficult to determine, as the city has only recently initiated follow-ups at 90 days after departure, yet many staff struggle to establish contact with these individuals.
Approximately 15% of those relocated through the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing returned to San Francisco for services within a year. Cohen interprets this as an 85% success rate, maintaining that even if individuals do not return, it does not necessarily indicate they encountered homelessness in their new communities.
In summary, as cities like San Francisco navigate the complex issue of homelessness, the balance between providing genuine support and exerting coercive practices remains a critical concern for activists and service providers alike.