The United States is taking a sharp turn in how it addresses homelessness after President Donald Trump ordered a tough new approach that rejects the longstanding "housing first" template.
Trump, angered by messy encampments of homeless people near the White House and on the nation's streets and parks, declared that organizations receiving federal funding must focus first on locking up people with drug or mental health challenges. Trump has long criticized how the United States manages homelessness, and argues public streets aren't safe for either the homeless or residents.
"Surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor other citizens," Trump said in his July 24 order. "The federal government and the states have spent tens of billions of dollars on failed programs that address homelessness but not its root causes, leaving other citizens vulnerable to public safety threats."
Longtime social workers, medical experts and mental health service providers say the new approach will likely worsen homelessness across the country, particularly because Trump's order contains no new funding for mental health or drug treatment.
Additionally, they say the president appears to misunderstand the fundamental driver of homelessness: People can't afford housing.
