Santa Monica Businessman Launches Program Offering Homeless One-Way Tickets Home

Santa Monica, CA – June 27, 2025 – John Alle, a Santa Monica business owner, has introduced a controversial new initiative aimed at addressing homelessness in Los Angeles County by offering unhoused individuals free one-way plane tickets to reunite with their families or return to their hometowns. The program, which has sparked both praise and debate, reflects Alle’s belief that reconnecting people with their support networks is a practical step toward reducing homelessness in the region.

Alle’s theory is rooted in the idea that many unhoused individuals in Los Angeles are disconnected from their families and communities, which he sees as a key factor in their ongoing struggles. He argues that providing a ticket home could offer a fresh start, allowing people to access familial support or more affordable environments outside of high-cost areas like Los Angeles. “What we’re seeing now is no accountability,” Alle said in a recent interview, criticizing existing government programs that he believes enable encampments without addressing root causes. By funding these flights himself, Alle aims to bypass what he calls the “$1.2 billion homelessness industrial complex” and provide direct, immediate assistance.[](https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1938682304433660132)

The initiative, launched just days ago, has already garnered attention for its unconventional approach. Alle’s program operates on a no-questions-asked basis, meaning unhoused individuals can request a ticket without extensive vetting, as long as they have a destination tied to family or a hometown. Supporters, including some local advocates, applaud the effort for its simplicity and focus on personal support systems. “Instead of spending millions per person and letting them rot in the streets, buy them tickets to reunite them with family,” one commenter posted on X, echoing Alle’s sentiment that family reconnection is a critical, underutilized solution. Critics, however, argue the program oversimplifies a complex issue, potentially displacing people without ensuring they have stable support at their destination.[](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/santa-monica-california-homeless-flights-b2778433.html)

As the program moves forward, Alle, through his involvement with the Santa Monica Coalition, plans to continue funding tickets while calling for broader accountability in how homelessness is addressed. The initiative’s long-term impact remains uncertain, but it has already ignited a conversation about innovative, privately funded solutions to a persistent crisis. For now, Alle’s program offers a lifeline to some, while raising questions about the best path forward for Los Angeles’ unhoused population. [](https://www.foxla.com/news/santa-monica-business-owner-offering-plane-tickets-reunite-homeless-people-families)[](https://x.com/FOXLA/status/1938412013249532390)

"Families used to be the social safety net for those with addiction or mental problems. By sending them home, they can be taken care of by people who truly love them." Alle said.