The executive order by President Trump aims to address street homelessness by enforcing crackdowns on encampments and ending funding for 'housing first' policies. In California, service providers criticized this approach, highlighting a 3% increase in local homelessness compared to an 18% rise nationwide. The state's community-based treatment, focused on empowerment, differs sharply from Trump's order, raising concerns about drug testing and how practical measures will be implemented. Reports indicate that encampment sweeps often fail to reduce homelessness, adding to the complexity of proposed solutions.
"President Donald Trump's executive order promising to crack down on street homelessness across the country drew prompt criticism from service providers in California and Gov. Gavin Newsom's office, which called it a harmful imitation of the state's approach."
"In 2024, there were more than 187,000 people experiencing homelessness in California, a 3% increase over the previous year. But, Gallegos argued, the state has outperformed the nation, which saw an 18% increase during the same time period."
"But Julie Lo, deputy director of programs with the advocacy group Housing California, said CARE Court's approach to treatment is philosophically different from Trump's executive order: The state's process is centered on community-based treatment, emphasizing empowerment and allowing family members and behavioral health providers to be part of the discussion for court-ordered treatment."
"Lo pointed to multiple studies showing encampment sweeps can be ineffective in decreasing homelessness and increasing chances of returning to the streets, questioning the practical effects of executive orders concerning the homeless."
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