SEPTA recognized for social services innovation

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and partners Project HOME and the city of Philadelphia have received a national award from TransitCenter for the “Hub of Hope” program.

Hub of Hope provides outreach service to people experiencing homelessness around the SEPTA system and has an 11,000-square-foot location at SEPTA's Suburban Station Concourse, where it provides meals, health-care services and housing. It started as a short-term winter initiative, but later became a permanent, year-round program in 2018.

SEPTA began expanding outreach in 2011 and now works with the SCOPE program, which stands for "safety, cleanliness, ownership, partnership and engagement."

Based in New York City, TransitCenter recognizes outstanding work annually with its "Frequency" awards. SEPTA is "an agency committed to going beyond its role as a transit service provider to become a community resource for positive change," said TransitCenter’s Tom Pera in a press release.

Hub of Hope has been a model of inspiration for implementing SCOPE, officials said. The program has partnered with civic organizations, city governments, nonprofits and universities in five counties to find solutions to the challenges of homelessness as well as mental health and substance abuse issues.

"As we strive to find compassionate, long-term solutions for the vulnerable population … we are making SEPTA safer for everyone," said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards.