Getting to and from work, the grocery store, or the doctor’s office is not challenging for many of us. It is easy to take access to transportation for granted. But for some, transportation can be a significant challenge, causing a lot of anxiety, panic, and stress. For many people who experience homelessness, are on a fixed income, or have mobility issues, a lack of affordable, easily accessible transportation hinders their self-sufficiency and connection to essential services, especially in rural communities. Not surprisingly, transportation burdens can negatively impact employment, healthcare, and access to social services. The cost can also prevent many from finding permanent housing solutions. How does someone get to work if they do not live near a bus stop? How can they attend medical or other appointments, especially for specialized services, often all the way down in Sacramento? When a person is struggling with homelessness, solutions are usually expensive, overwhelming, and out of reach.
Back in 2018, Hospitality House developed a Homeless Access Transport (HAT) Program. Funded through private donations and public funding, the HAT program provides ongoing, free transportation to homeless and low-income Nevada County residents, including seniors, veterans, families, and those with mobility issues. With two vans and a fleet of other vehicles, Hospitality House helps its neighbors attend appointments, access resources, and find and maintain employment. The program also helps seniors and aging residents maintain community connections and independence.
Hospitality House partners with other organizations that share this goal to make this happen. One of Hospitality House’s strongest transportation partners is the Agency on Aging Area 4 (AAA4). AAA4 is a nonprofit that provides funding to Hospitality House for its Wheelchair Accessible Van (WAV), which helps seniors, including those with mobility issues, attend appointments and engage in important social activities.
One local senior, Elieen, recently had a fall, which landed her in the hospital. When she was discharged to a retirement home, she was wheelchair bound and therefore needed full-time support. Her daughter Dee traveled from Texas to help her move and settle into her new home. Dee was shocked to find how few transportation options there are in Nevada County, especially for those with mobility issues. The closest company Dee could find was in Yuba City, and they were charging $450 for a ride to and from a single appointment. Not surprisingly, Dee was discouraged, anxious, and worried about how her mom was going to thrive after she returned home to Texas. Thankfully, the staff at her mother’s new community home recommended Hospitality House.
When Dee called, she learned that Hospitality House’s free transportation program includes its WAV van. She was thrilled to hear that a staff member could pick her mother up and drive her to appointments at no cost. On the day of the appointment, Dee and her mother met Steve, one of Hospitality House’s Transportation Drivers, who welcomed Eileen aboard. Dee’s relief was profound, knowing that her mom has the support she needs.
Eileen’s situation is just one example of how Hospitality House addresses the transportation barriers for many Nevada County residents. Harry, a guest at Utah’s Place, recently utilized Hospitality House’s complimentary transportation to attend a job interview. He now schedules rides to and from work during the week. Travis, another client, is working hard to turn his life around. He schedules rides for medical appointments, essential shopping needs, and to look at potential permanent housing options. Many clients share how helpful it is in extreme weather to have reliable transportation so they do not become dehydrated in the summer or wet and cold in the winter. They see affordable transportation as a key piece to their success as they move away from homelessness and into housing.
In 2024 alone, Hospitality House provided 11,230 rides, 18% of which were for AAA4 program adults, including seniors with disabilities. Offering free transportation services to Nevada County residents who are experiencing homelessness, low-income, aging adults, veterans, men, women, children, and those with disabilities helps them obtain and maintain a higher level of independence and self-sustainability. Hospitality House is thankful for the partnerships, funders, and private donors that make it possible to offer free transportation and other services such as shelter, case management, nutritious meals, mental health support, and other wraparound services to those in the community who are on a journey from homelessness to housing.
To learn more about Hospitality House’s transportation services or to schedule a ride, visit: Transportation | Hospitality House