Transportation Assistance Services ($50,000)

Location: Citywide for three years.

Cost: $50,000

Committee: Community Resources

Short Description: Provide transportation assistance to low-income and unhoused residents for important appointments. These include getting to appointments for housing court, cash and food benefits, family shelter, and healthcare.

Long Description: Navigating our social service infrastructure can be overwhelming for many low-income residents, especially those who are in crisis, facing eviction, or without legal support. Many residents struggle to attend court hearings and other vital appointments due to transportation costs. For example, housing court is located outside Cambridge and can be difficult to reach, particularly for seniors, disabled residents, and those with low incomes.

Transportation assistance—such as working with a transportation service—would ensure residents can physically reach vital appointments. Residents may need assistance reaching service providers, including the Department of Transitional Assistance (SNAP and cash benefits), family shelter, social security, court, and medical appointments. Together, these supports reduce barriers to justice and help residents engage confidently in their essential appointments. 

An example of an accessible van used by some transportation services.