This story actually ran back in December 2006, but it got me to thinking about this as a solution to address the issue of homelessness. I can't say as I find much merit in it, since most of the folks I deal with have indeed "burnt bridges" or have no family to return to elsewhere. Furthermore, while the story cites some figures on cost savings, there's no mention of where those figures are obtained, nor is there any information on follow-up with those who were sent packing to determine just how successful the move was for them.
It's conceivable that in at least some instances (and I suspect "some" could easily be replaced with "many"), the folks who left for other cities became a burden on the destination city's social services, since regardless of where they go, they'll take their needs and lack of resources to provide for them right along with them. There's only so much a family can do, and that's assuming that the family wants the person back, is willing to assist the person get on his/her feet, and is willing to carry the tab during the transition period.
Having worked together with Helen over at our own Traveler's Aid to return some folks "home," I know that it's a dicey situation for most of them, at best. Already in my short time here, I've seen two folks we've sent elsewhere return to Nashville, broke, bummed and frustrated at their failure to live within the rules they felt were "imposed" upon them by family members. The cost of those two tickets totaled around $320, if memory serves me correctly, $320 that may have been better spent on services right here in Nashville.
However, because some folks will make it in a reunification effort with family, it would be a terrible tragedy to deny them this chance simply because some do not. What to do, what to do...
DAYTONA BEACH -- The city's top cop wants to give the homeless a ride out of town.
Police Chief Michael Chitwood says the homeless give this beachside city a bad image, so he's going to do whatever it takes to get them off the streets. Earlier this year, he instructed his officers to arrest the homeless for petty crimes such as trespassing, panhandling and public drunkenness as part of a larger effort to push them into getting help from social-service agencies.
Now, he's trying to create a program that will offer the homeless free Greyhound tickets. The idea is to reconnect them with family and friends who can provide housing as well as support to deal with problems such as mental illness and substance abuse.
The chief says he thinks it's the best way to help the homeless because it will be easier for people to solve their problems with loved ones around.
"I will do everything humanly possible to help somebody who is out on their luck," Chitwood said.
And if they participate in this voluntary program, Chitwood said, it will help reduce the area's homeless population of more than 2,600.
Daytona isn't alone in cracking down on the homeless. Earlier this year, Orlando officials fed up with complaints of aggressive panhandling, increased crime and litter at places such as Lake Eola Park passed a law barring groups from feeding the homeless in certain areas. The city also later evicted dozens of homeless from two camps where items left behind were loaded into dump trucks.
Support from ACLU
George Crossley, head of the ACLU's Central Florida chapter, said he thinks Chitwood's proposal is a good idea.
"It's a positive," said Crossley, who has helped lead opposition to Orlando's no-feeding policy. "At least it gives a person the option of being back with friends and family. There are people in Orlando who would love to have that option."
A bus program "beats what Orlando is doing," Crossley said. "Orlando gives them no options."
Chitwood's plan is not a new idea, although it hasn't been tried in Central Florida on the scale he is proposing. Other communities across the country, including several in South Florida, have tried giving the homeless Greyhound trips. Some advocates say it's a waste of time, while others think it's working.
Critics of Chitwood's proposal say he needs to learn more about the homeless before offering solutions. They say his proposal isn't necessary because something similar already exists in Daytona and the demand for such services isn't great.
About 73 percent of Volusia and Flagler counties' homeless wouldn't need to leave town because they are originally from the area, said Lindsay Roberts, executive director of the Volusia-Flagler
"I don't know if that [Chitwood's bus program] is an effective way to resolve homelessness in our community," she said.
Traveler's Aid
Halifax Urban Ministries, a Daytona Beach nonprofit that provides homeless services, already offers bus tickets for the homeless to go home or to a place where they've been offered a job. The Traveler's Aid program, which has been around for more than two decades, is designed for those who are recently homeless or ones on the cusp of landing on the streets.
Those homeless for more than a month don't qualify, and because of a limited budget, the program only pays 25 percent of the ticket price, which can cost up to $200 depending on the destination. This year, the program dispensed 98 tickets as of October, according to Halifax's data. Last year, 314 people were served, while 372 tickets were issued in 2004.
Eight years ago, the State Attorney's Office, the Daytona-area chamber of commerce and small businesses devised a plan to raise money for the Traveler's Aid program. That money was spent on bus tickets for the homeless who were on probation for petty crimes. About 29 people used the service to reunite with family and friends back home.
Jim Cameron, the chamber's vice president of governmental relations, said the fundraising effort died in 2000 because chamber officials decided to focus their efforts on building Daytona's first homeless-assist
Chitwood said his proposal would be an expansion of the Traveler's Aid service. Anyone who has family and friends willing to accept them will qualify, no matter how long they've been on the streets. The bus tickets would be given to them for free.
South Florida officials have been using similar programs for years.
In Broward County, the Family Reunification Program has been issuing bus tickets since 1998. Operated by the county, the program helps about 500 homeless a year to reconnect with family and friends.
Huge potential savings
Steve Werthman, the county's homeless-servic
"It's very cost-effective,
Laura Hansen, CEO of the Coalition to End Homelessness in Fort Lauderdale, said the program hasn't reduced Broward's homeless population of at least 3,100 because other communities also send their homeless to her county. Broward officials said mental hospitals and churches send their homeless to Broward because the county has a reputation of having many resources for the homeless.
Busing people out of town "shouldn't be something relied heavily upon to solve the homeless problem," she said.
In West Palm Beach, the city's Homeward Bound Program has helped 400 homeless return home since its inception in 2002. The city has turned away 800 people who wanted to take advantage of the program but couldn't because their families wouldn't take them in.
"They've burnt bridges," said Lela Jordan, the city's Youth and Family Services coordinator.
Jordan said the bus tickets haven't reduced the area's 4,000 homeless. But it's used as an option for people wishing to leave, rather than a way to bring down the numbers, she said.
The idea has garnered interest from city and county officials -- and the homeless.
Standing in line for a hot meal at a Daytona Beach soup kitchen recently, James Richards said he left his pregnant wife in Virginia to find a paycheck in this beachside city. His family had fallen on hard times, and he'd been told by people that jobs were plentiful here. But when he arrived more than a month ago, he couldn't find work. On top of that, someone stole $400 from him, leaving the 33-year-old penniless and homeless.
If given the opportunity, Richards said he'll gladly take a bus ride out of Daytona.
"I want to get back to where I belong," he said.
