TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELESSNESS: USING A QUASI-EXPERIMENT TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A LOW-INCOME TRANSIT FARE PROGRAM IN REDUCING HOMELESSNESS
Public transportation provides instrumental community connection, access to job and educational opportunities, and benefits individuals' health and well-being. However, there is a dearth of research assessing the connection between transportation and homelessness. This project will examine the broad impact of a city-wide reduced transit fare program with the recent expansion of TriMet’s Honored Citizen Program to include low-income riders. This study, in partnership with TriMet, intends to assess how enrollment in the program impacts sense of community, homelessness, access to educational and employment opportunities, and physical and mental well-being, among those at risk of becoming homeless (e.g., low-income individuals) over time, as well as those who already experience homelessness.