In the year following President Trump's executive order aimed at moving homeless people off the streets, federal agencies have authorized states to expand the use of civil commitment for homeless individuals suffering from mental illness or substance abuse problems. This policy shift has led some states to increase involuntary treatment programs for the homeless population.

The executive order contends that previous policies failed to address the root causes of homelessness and posed public safety risks. It prompted the Justice and Health and Human Services Departments to prioritize funding for states implementing involuntary psychiatric treatment, described as "maximally flexible civil commitment" for individuals who "pose a danger to others or are living on the streets and cannot care for themselves."

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, about 30% of those experiencing chronic homelessness have a serious mental illness. However, opponents argue that the administration's approach could overwhelm the limited state treatment centers, criminalize homeless individuals, and divert focus from "Housing First" policies that prioritize stable housing.

Shaina Bessonet, a dental hygienist from Louisiana who experienced homelessness from January 2022 to March 2026, testified against related legislation before the state legislature. Additionally, Mathis, a Biden-era official in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, stated the executive order "created an environment where states felt either pressured or permitted to focus on more coercive strategies, to focus less on housing as a solution."

HUD Secretary Scott Turner dismissed claims of widespread impact, calling the figure of 97,000 affected individuals "fear-mongering" and criticized litigation that he said was blocking "long-overdue changes."

Pending court challenges, the Department of Housing and Urban Development may transform the primary funding system for organizations addressing homelessness to align with the executive order's directives.

Sources