Rethinking the Geography of Recovery

When people talk about solving homelessness, they usually focus on local shelters, public housing, and city programs. These are all important, but here’s a hard truth we need to face: you can’t always solve a crisis by keeping someone in the same place it started. In fact, the geography itself—the environment, the triggers, the cost of living—can be part of the problem.

That’s why, at Joshua’s, we’ve embraced something many in the space are afraid to say out loud: sometimes, the best path out of homelessness is a strategic relocation.

To be clear, we’re not talking about “busing the problem away” or dumping people into other cities. We’re talking about carefully planned, voluntary moves that are part of a broader, supportive program—a fresh start in a place where healing, recovery, and independence are actually possible.

The Myth of Local-Only Solutions

There’s a growing belief, especially in states like California, that all solutions should be kept local. The idea is that moving people out of a community disconnects them from services and their support network. But for many of the people we work with, those “networks” are either nonexistent or toxic.

The truth is, keeping someone in the same environment that led to their crisis—surrounded by drug activity, negative influences, or just plain unaffordability—can actually make long-term recovery harder. What we’ve seen at Joshua’s is that a strategic move to a healthier, more stable environment often makes all the difference.

When someone is trying to get clean, restart their life, and build something new, environment matters. A lot. Where you live affects your habits, your mindset, and your access to opportunity. In a city like San Francisco or Los Angeles, even if someone wants to work, there may not be affordable housing options within reach of a job. So they get stuck. Or worse, they relapse.

Cost Isn’t the Only Factor—But It’s a Big One

Let’s talk about money for a second. The cost of housing in many California cities is astronomical. Building a single affordable housing unit can cost between $600,000 and $800,000. Even if we had unlimited funds, this model just doesn’t scale.

But in other parts of the country, you can buy or build quality housing for a fraction of that cost. And not just temporary shelters, but permanent homes with dignity, privacy, and space for growth. That kind of housing is the foundation for recovery, especially when it’s paired with employment opportunities, community support, and mental health care.

By relocating program participants to communities with lower cost-of-living and better job access, we’re not just saving money—we’re increasing success rates. At Joshua’s, we believe in giving people the best shot at independence. Sometimes, that means leaving the zip code where they lost everything and going somewhere they can actually build something new.

A Voluntary, Supported Process

Let me be absolutely clear: no one is forced to relocate. Every move is voluntary, part of a structured program, and fully supported by our team. We don’t just drop someone off in a new town and hope for the best. We offer transitional housing, medical care, job placement assistance, and a community of support. Every step is intentional.

For many of our participants, relocation isn’t just a move—it’s a symbol of a fresh start. It’s an opportunity to leave behind the shadows of addiction, trauma, and street life and step into a new season of purpose. We’ve seen people thrive in these new environments—finding steady work, reconnecting with family, even becoming mentors for others walking the same road.

Why This Makes Sense—Morally and Financially

Some critics say relocation isn’t fair—that people should be helped in their home city, no matter what. I understand that sentiment, but here’s what I ask in response: what if staying in that city is the very thing keeping them stuck?

If we can move someone to a place where they’re more likely to succeed—where they can afford to live, work, and heal—shouldn’t we consider that a win? If we can cut the cost of their recovery in half and double the odds of a stable future, isn’t that what we’re all aiming for?

From a business perspective, the math works. From a human perspective, the results speak louder than theory ever could.

This Is About Dignity, Not Displacement

At Joshua’s, we’re not in the business of pushing people out. We’re in the business of pulling them up. Relocation, when done right, isn’t about exile. It’s about offering someone the chance to rebuild with real tools, in a real community, with real hope.

It’s not for everyone. But for many of the people we serve—especially those who’ve cycled through city shelters, ERs, jails, and detox centers—it’s the missing piece. The reset they didn’t know they needed.

This isn’t a loophole or a shortcut. It’s a long-view strategy grounded in data, compassion, and common sense. And it works.

Closing Thoughts

The homelessness crisis isn’t going to be solved by doing more of what we’ve always done. It’s going to be solved by bold ideas, honest conversations, and courageous action.

Strategic relocation is one of those bold ideas. It’s not without challenges. It requires planning, funding, and coordination. But most of all, it requires the willingness to put results above politics and people above appearances.

At Joshua’s, we’re committed to doing just that. Because when someone finally decides they want a new life, we believe it’s our job to meet them with a plan—not just to survive, but to thrive. Sometimes that plan starts with a simple question: “Would you be willing to start fresh somewhere new?”

And when the answer is yes, we’re ready.