Story perspectives

Trump Cuts Housing-First Programs, Homelessness Peaks at 266K

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump’s administration dismantled key housing-first programs that had lowered homelessness rates.
The 2025 point-in-time count recorded 266,320 unsheltered people, including 155,750 chronically homeless individuals.
Senator JD Vance and other Republicans repeatedly framed homelessness as caused by addiction, mental illness and crime.
Ann Oliva of the National Alliance to End Homelessness said 2024 Emergency Housing Voucher funding and rural assistance drove recent gains that the administration has since deprioritized.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump’s administration dismantled key housing-first programs that had lowered homelessness rates.
The 2025 point-in-time count recorded 266,320 unsheltered people, including 155,750 chronically homeless individuals.
Senator JD Vance and other Republicans repeatedly framed homelessness as caused by addiction, mental illness and crime.
Ann Oliva of the National Alliance to End Homelessness said 2024 Emergency Housing Voucher funding and rural assistance drove recent gains that the administration has since deprioritized.