President Donald Trump signed two executive orders, July 24, that makes it easier for states to remove homeless encampments.
The first executive order, “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” expands the use of involuntary commitment for homeless people with mental illness or addiction.
The second order directs federal agencies to prioritize grants for states and cities that enforce bans on public drug use, urban camping, and track sex offenders.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is “delivering on his commitment to Make America Safe Again and end homelessness across America.”
The order also blocks grants from funding drug injection sites or illicit drug use. It prevents sex offenders receiving homelessness aid from being housed with children, allowing programs to house only women and children.
Order treats homelessness as a crime
The National Coalition for the Homeless said the orders wrongly treat homelessness as a crime and direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to challenge protections for homeless and mentally ill individuals.
“Furthermore, it disregards the reality that many individuals develop mental health or substance abuse issues after prolonged periods of homelessness due to the lack of safe and affordable housing,” said the coalition.
A spokesperson for California governor Gavin Newsom, who recently also signed orders to clear encampments, said Newsom’s actions are “based on the law and the facts, not harmful stereotypes and ineffective public policy.”
“Like so many of Trump’s executive orders, this order is more focused on creating distracting headlines and settling old scores than producing any positive impact,” read the statement.
Newsom’s office added that Trump’s imitation (even poorly executed) is the highest form of flattery.
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