President Donald Trump has taken executive action to clear the streets of homeless individuals by authorizing cities and states to relocate them to rehabilitation centers. This measure, part of his broader ‘Make America Safe Again’ initiative, includes directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to overturn judicial decisions that previously limited such actions and redirect federal funds to support the relocation process. The order also mandates collaboration with several federal agencies to prioritize grants for cities enforcing laws against open drug use and urban camping, aiming to improve public safety and address the crisis of homelessness.
Trump’s executive order is part of a larger strategy to create a more secure environment, particularly in major cities like Washington, D.C., where he has previously emphasized the need for a crime-free capital. The order states that the number of individuals living on the streets in the United States during the last year of the Biden administration was the highest ever recorded at 274,224. This represents a significant increase in homelessness over the past year, with the figure having risen by 18% from 2023 to 2024, according to the latest Housing and Urban Development assessment report.
While the details of funding allocation remain unclear, Trump’s order ensures that federal resources are directed towards relocating homeless individuals to treatment centers. The directive also requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to work with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to prioritize federal grants for cities and states enforcing laws against open drug use, urban camping, and loitering, as well as tracking the location of sex offenders. Additionally, discretionary grants for substance-use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery programs are now restricted from funding drug injection sites or illicit drug use.
Trump’s initiative has been met with mixed reactions, with supporters praising the efforts to address public safety concerns and critics arguing that the order may place undue burdens on homeless individuals. The executive order highlights the growing urgency of addressing homelessness, with Trump emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach involving federal and local cooperation. This move reflects Trump’s continued focus on urban safety and crime prevention, a key aspect of his policy agenda aimed at restoring law and order in major American cities.