Here’s a rewritten version of the text in a clear, professional tone suitable fo
On Thursday, July 24, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reshaping the nation’s approach to managing homelessness. The directive emphasises stricter enforcement and a shift away from traditional housing-first models, drawing both praise and criticism.
The order proposes measures to make it easier for states and cities to dismantle outdoor encampments and mandate mental health or addiction treatment for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. This could include involuntary civil commitment in certain cases.
Citing rising concerns over “endemic vagrancy, disorderly behaviour, sudden confrontations, and violent attacks,” the order argues that such conditions have made American cities increasingly unsafe.
Rather than focusing on securing housing before treatment—as has been the federal policy for years—the order shifts priorities toward funding programs that require sobriety and treatment first. It also favours jurisdictions that actively enforce bans on urban camping.
Additionally, the departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation are instructed to review federal grant programs. The order asks them to prioritise cities that take a firm stance against illicit drug use, squatting, loitering, and street encampments, within the bounds of existing law.
However, critics argue that the policy fails to address the root causes of homelessness and could further marginalise vulnerable populations.
“This executive order is forcing people to choose between compassionate, data-driven approaches like housing—or treating it like a crime to have a mental illness or be homeless,” said Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homelessness Law Center.
Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, also pushed back, stating: “Institutionalising people with mental illness, including those experiencing homelessness, is not a dignified, safe, or evidence-based way to serve people’s needs.”
Another controversial element of the order directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to defund programs that include harm reduction strategies—an approach widely used to reduce overdose deaths from substances like fentanyl. This move is expected to impact many frontline healthcare services.
The executive order builds on a Supreme Court decision issued last year, which allows cities to penalise people for sleeping outdoors, even in the absence of available shelter. Since that ruling, over 100 cities across more than 25 states have enacted or tightened laws banning homeless camping.
