President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday urging cities and states to dismantle encampments for the homeless and relocate individuals to treatment facilities, a move that advocates for the homeless believe will exacerbate the issue.
The executive order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to overturn previous legal decisions at both state and federal levels as well as any regulations that hinder local efforts to clear homelessness camps. However, it remains unclear how Bondi can unilaterally revoke such decisions.
This executive action follows a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that allows cities to prohibit homeless encampments.
The National Coalition for the Homeless criticized the order, stating that it undermines legal protections for homeless individuals, particularly those with mental illnesses.
The coalition pointed out that the Trump administration has a “troubling record of disregarding civil rights and due process,” warning that this directive could worsen the homelessness crisis.
Trump stated that individuals living in encampments should be transferred to facilities that address mental health and addiction issues. He did not mention any plans to expand treatment centers or provide long-term housing.
According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, approximately 771,480 people in the United States experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting an 18 percent increase from the previous year.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that around 36 percent of this population was unsheltered, meaning they were living on the streets or in vehicles or tents.
The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty warned that implementing this order alongside budget cuts in housing and healthcare could significantly worsen the homelessness crisis.
The center stated, “Forced treatment is unethical, ineffective, and illegal… These measures will drive more individuals into homelessness and divert resources away from those in need.