Story perspectives

Trump's Order Risks Homelessness by Shifting Treatment Focus

9/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

President Trump signed an executive order reallocating federal funding for homeless programs to focus on mental illness and addiction treatment.
This approach contrasts with New York's effective "housing first" strategy, which has lowered chronic homelessness among veterans.
Experts caution that the new order may reduce funding and increase street homelessness by requiring treatment for housing eligibility.
The order could also endanger harm reduction programs that have successfully reduced drug-related deaths among the homeless.

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Story summary

President Trump signed an executive order reallocating federal funding for homeless programs to focus on mental illness and addiction treatment.
This approach contrasts with New York's effective "housing first" strategy, which has lowered chronic homelessness among veterans.
Experts caution that the new order may reduce funding and increase street homelessness by requiring treatment for housing eligibility.
The order could also endanger harm reduction programs that have successfully reduced drug-related deaths among the homeless.