In a significant executive order issued on July 24, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed the rising issue of homelessness in cities across the United States, tying it to public safety and mental health challenges.
The executive order noted that the number of individuals experiencing homelessness reached a record high of 274,224 in the previous administration’s final year.
President Trump pointed out that a majority of these individuals struggle with addiction and mental health issues, emphasizing the urgent need for a new strategy to combat what he referred to as endemic vagrancy and disorderly behavior.
“Surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor other citizens,” President Trump stated, highlighting his administration’s commitment to protecting public safety while addressing the underlying causes of homelessness.
To implement this new approach, the administration will focus on restoring civil commitment as a means to provide humane treatment for individuals who pose risks to themselves or the public.
Section 2 of the executive order directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to seek the reversal of judicial precedents and consent decrees that hinder the commitment of individuals with mental illness.
The order also emphasizes the importance of providing states and local governments with guidance and funding to create flexible treatment standards aimed at addressing those who suffer from serious mental illness or substance use disorders.
To combat vagrancy directly, the order outlines several measures that federal agencies must take to support states and localities in enforcing laws against open illicit drug use, urban camping, and loitering.
The coordination between the Attorney General and other relevant departments is meant to prioritize the removal of individuals who constitute a danger to themselves or others, allowing for appropriate treatment through outpatient programs or civil commitment.
Furthermore, the Attorney General is tasked with ensuring that homeless individuals arrested for federal crimes are evaluated to determine if they are sexually dangerous and to facilitate their civil commitment if necessary.
The executive order designates a significant level of attention to the ongoing issues surrounding the availability of treatment facilities for those in need.
The Attorney General is required to assess federal resources to avoid the release of detainees with serious mental illness due to a lack of adequate treatment facilities.
In the fight against homelessness, the order emphasizes the importance of redirecting federal resources toward effective solutions.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services is called upon to ensure that grants for substance use disorder prevention and treatment support programs with proven outcomes, while steering clear of those that promote harm reduction without acceptable results.
Additionally, the order emphasizes providing technical assistance to outpatient treatment programs to help transition individuals with serious mental illness back into private housing and support systems.
Moreover, the order seeks to increase accountability within federal homelessness assistance programs.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development are urged to end support for “housing first” policies that neglect to promote accountability and recovery.
There is a push to elevate the standards of effectiveness among grantees tasked with reducing homelessness while increasing public safety.
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is urged to intensify requirements for recipients of federal housing assistance, ensuring that individuals participating in programs for substance use disorder or serious mental illness engage in required treatment or services as a condition of participation.
As for recipients operating drug injection sites or distributing drug paraphernalia, the Attorney General is directed to investigate compliance with federal law and take action as necessary.
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will also explore measures to exclusively house vulnerable populations, like women and children, while ensuring safety and appropriate supervision of sex offenders receiving assistance.
The Executive Order dedicates extensive provisions aimed at improving the methodology and practices surrounding collecting and sharing health-related information for individuals receiving federal homelessness assistance.
By requiring these recipients to collect data deemed necessary for effective program operations, the intention is to facilitate better medical care and connect individuals with needed public health resources.
In concluding the executive order, President Trump clarified that it does not intend to create any enforceable rights against the federal government or its entities and does not impair the authorities of executive departments.
The overall strategy is designed to not only combat the challenges associated with homelessness but to restore public order and safety across America’s cities.
With tens of billions spent on previous programs having little success, this new executive order represents a pivotal shift towards addressing the root causes of homelessness and its intertwined relationship with crime and public safety, as outlined by President Trump.
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