Washington, D.C., has emerged as one of the few areas in the United States where homelessness has decreased since 2019.
The District, along with Maryland, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mississippi, and Wyoming, recorded a reduction in homeless numbers while most of the country faced increases.
Since 2015, homelessness in D.C. has fallen by more than 20%, a stark contrast to a nearly 40% rise observed nationwide during the same period.
Despite these achievements, the Trump administration has implemented a militarized approach to homelessness in the city, mobilizing the National Guard to clear the streets and dismantle homeless encampments.
This military-style crackdown has followed President Donald Trump’s inflammatory assertions that D.C. is overrun by violent crime and homelessness, despite crime and homelessness rates being at or near their lowest in over a decade.
Critics argue that Trump’s focus on homelessness and crime may have racial undertones, given that Black residents make up 41% of D.C.’s population and represent a staggering 82.5% of the homeless population.
In contrast, white residents account for 39.6% of the population but only 6.6% of those without shelter.
A significant portion of the homeless population—60%—is male.
“Militarized over-policing will inevitably lead to increased fear and mistrust among communities that have too often been treated as occupied populations, rather than as citizens who deserve to be served and protected,” stated Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Yvette Clark and other CBC members in a recent statement.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of homeless individuals in D.C. is reported to have dropped to approximately 5,000 in 2025—a 9% decline from 2024.
In stark contrast, the national homeless total exceeded 770,000 that year, marking the highest figure since at least 2007.
Data from 2016 indicates that over 8,000 D.C. residents were unhoused.
However, numbers dropped significantly by 2022 following the introduction of emergency housing vouchers from the Biden administration, aimed at aiding those in need by allowing them to stay in vacant hotels.
Unfortunately, when that funding ended, the homeless count increased from 4,922 in 2023 to 5,615 in 2024, before witnessing another decline this year.
A large portion of D.C.’s homeless population resides in visible areas such as downtown, Union Station, Georgetown, and Foggy Bottom.
Under Trump’s directive, encampments in these prime locations have been systematically cleared, including one near the Kennedy Center, where personal belongings were disposed of in garbage trucks.
Commenting on this approach, one social media user noted, “Bulldozing homeless encampments will not fix the problem in D.C. or anywhere. Out of sight, out of mind is not a strategy—it’s heartless cruelty.”
The demographics of D.C.’s homeless population indicate that 7.9% are senior citizens—higher than the national average of 5.5%—while 18.6% are minors under the age of 18.
High housing costs, which are more than double the national average, coupled with a cost of living that is 40% above the U.S. average, make stable housing unattainable for many.
Organizations like Lived Experienced Advisors, which consists exclusively of individuals with past experiences of homelessness, voiced concerns regarding the treatment of vulnerable populations.
They emphasized that simply relocating people out of sight fails to address the root causes of homelessness and does not provide sustainable solutions.
“While the intention may be framed as a public safety measure, we must prioritize the human rights of those affected,” the organization stated, arguing against displacement, which often leads to further trauma and instability.
They advocate for comprehensive strategies that encompass affordable housing, mental health support, and community resources instead of punitive measures.
Before Trump’s order, D.C. had made notable strides in tackling homelessness through several initiatives, such as D.C. Flex, which offered low-income working families $8,400 annually for up to five years.
The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act allowed tenants the right to purchase their buildings when they were sold.
Furthermore, D.C. had an above-average number of housing vouchers available to combat chronic homelessness and assist vulnerable groups, including homeless youth.
“D.C. had considerably more housing vouchers than other communities,” highlighted Donald Whitehead Jr., executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless.
He emphasized the collaborative efforts made to protect individuals within the system.
Experts warn that the Trump administration’s tactics compromise years of progress in addressing homelessness.
“These sweeps demonize people and minimize their humanity,” said Whitehead.
He noted that negative rhetoric around homelessness often correlates with an increase in violence against those experiencing it.
Hilary Silver, a professor at George Washington University, expressed concern that encampment removals obstruct outreach teams’ ability to locate and assist homeless individuals.
She champions the ‘Housing First’ model, which prioritizes stable housing as a crucial first step toward securing necessary services.
“When people have a stable place to stay,” she said, “it’s easier for them to receive the services that are available.”
Despite data indicating a decline in D.C.’s homelessness problem, the Trump administration has created a manufactured crisis for political gain.
With a homeless population that is predominantly Black, D.C. has become a target for displays of force, ignoring the complex realities that contribute to homelessness in these communities.
Silver pointed out that unique challenges facing D.C.’s Black homeless population include elevated rates of disability, eviction, and poverty, compounded by experiences of racial discrimination.
The consensus among experts remains that increased funding from the federal government, higher wages, more affordable housing, and strategies like the ‘Housing First’ approach are crucial in addressing the homelessness crisis rather than resorting to eviction.
“We promote Housing First in the District because when people have a stable place to stay, then it’s easier for them to receive the services that are available,” Silver explained.
image source from：washingtoninformer
