Trump Administration Targets Housing First Policy in Homelessness Overhaul
Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump is taking a hardline approach to tackling homelessness, aiming to dismantle the longstanding “Housing First” strategy in favor of a treatment-based model that mandates mental health care and addiction recovery programs. His administration is pushing for large-scale encampments where homeless individuals would be relocated for rehabilitation or face legal consequences.
“Our once-great cities have become unlivable, unsanitary nightmares,” Trump said in a campaign video. “For those who are severely mentally ill and deeply disturbed, we will bring them to mental institutions where they belong, with the goal of reintegrating them into society once they are well enough to manage.”
Since taking office, the administration has begun reshaping homelessness policies by proposing drastic funding cuts to housing initiatives and advocating for mandatory treatment programs. Scott Turner, the head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has called for a review of federal spending, stating that Trump’s directive seeks to eliminate “waste, fraud, and abuse” in the homelessness response system.
The shift represents a sharp departure from the Housing First approach, which has been the cornerstone of federal homelessness policy since 2004. Developed under President George W. Bush and expanded by subsequent administrations, Housing First prioritizes providing stable housing without preconditions such as sobriety or employment. Supporters argue that once individuals are housed, they are better positioned to address mental health and substance abuse issues.
“When you’re on the streets, all you’re doing every day is figuring out how to survive,” said Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “Housing is the most important intervention that brings a sense of safety and stability.”
However, the Trump administration is moving away from this model, discouraging local governments from adhering to Housing First policies and rolling back enforcement of federal contracts that mandate its use. A recent order has also significantly reduced the scope of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the body responsible for coordinating national strategies.
Critics fear that the new policies will exacerbate the crisis. Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of Los Angeles condemned the approach, stating, “Make no mistake, Trump’s reckless attacks will supercharge the housing and homelessness crisis in communities across the country.”
Trump’s allies, however, argue that Housing First has failed to curb homelessness, pointing to the record 770,000 homeless individuals reported nationwide in 2023—a staggering 18% increase from the previous year. Robert Marbut, who led the Interagency Council on Homelessness under Trump’s first term, believes the administration is making the right move by prioritizing treatment and self-sufficiency over subsidized housing. “Housing First is not a solution; it enables people to remain homeless and addicted,” he said.
The debate is unfolding against a backdrop of increasing public frustration over encampments in major cities. Even in liberal strongholds like California, officials are shifting toward stricter enforcement. Governor Gavin Newsom’s “CARE Court” program allows for mandated treatment, while San Jose is considering policies that would penalize individuals who refuse shelter multiple times.
With the administration doubling down on its approach, the future of federal homelessness policy remains uncertain. Advocates warn that cutting housing assistance without increasing affordable housing options could drive more people into the streets, while Trump’s supporters argue that a tougher stance is necessary to bring meaningful change.
