Overview:
For public institutions like transit agencies, the increased presence of people living on or using land for unintended purposes has shifted their attention from their traditional areas of work. Now bus drivers, park rangers, and maintenance crews function as what homelessness services describe as “front-line” workers. These public agencies now find themselves trying to meet their missions, manage their property assets, serve users, and be part of a response to homelessness.
In 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine TCRP program responded to this new reality by publishing TCRP Synthesis 121. This synthesis brought together knowledge from studies and reports about homelessness, findings from a survey administered to transit agencies, and in-depth case examples of innovative approaches by transit agencies in addressing homelessness in selected areas. For this project, Portland State University will build on Synthesis 121 to create a "guide for public transportation agencies and concerned stakeholders on effective approaches and best practices that are responsive to those who are experiencing homelessness.