Written by: Libby Thoma | Staff Writer

Due to the struggle with homelessness and mental health, different cities have tried to brainstorm solutions to solve this foreboding problem. One of these solutions consists of sending the homeless and those with severe mental health issues to a different city with a one-way bus ticket –- for free. This is known as greyhound therapy, which is technically forced relocation. Some places even ban these individuals from returning to their place of origin, such as Key West, Florida. Most of these people who were shipped off remained homeless and faced the same problems; it did not solve the underlying problem.

States including Oregon contain the highest per capita number of homeless, and Portland, as of 2016, began relocating homeless people to other cities. Relocation occurs all over the United States, and the bus service travels all over the country as well.

Ideally, this system is meant to relocate at-risk populations to somewhere they can find a support system. It also appears, though, that cities, such as San Francisco, are partaking in this system to lower their at-risk population percentages. This raises the question — are cities doing this to help these populations, or are they doing it to have better homeless percentages? To answer this question, it is important to address whether or not this system works for underserved populations. According to the Guardian, this system does not attempt to address the root cause of homelessness, therefore not solving the problem. Most homeless and mentally ill stay in the position they left their previous city in. 

It is important to address other ways to help at-risk populations, rather than having them sent off to a different state or city. On an individual level, one can volunteer with aid groups; donate food, clothing and other essentials; make kits to give to the homeless on the street and more. On a governmental level, the government should supply federal housing assistance, which has been proven to be helpful, and supply safe homeless shelters. 

Homeless and mentally ill populations are people too, and deserve a life and shelter where they choose to be as much as any other citizen does. If you want to take action, here are some places that are safe to donate to: Oregon Community Foundation’s Online System and NAMI.

Contact the author at @ethoma23@mail.wou.edu