The Wrong Prescription for Homelessness

As the US grapples with an ongoing homelessness crisis, some states are adopting draconian measures to address the issue. President Trump’s 2022 executive order on homeless policy has cleared the way for civil commitment of homeless individuals with mental illness or substance abuse problems in certain states.

The shift towards coercion and punishment is misguided. The administration prioritizes funding for involuntary psychiatric treatment over Housing First policies, which prioritize non-conditional access to housing. By doing so, the administration treats homelessness as a crime rather than a public health issue.

About 30% of those experiencing chronic homelessness have a serious mental illness, while two-thirds have a substance use disorder or other chronic health condition. Rather than addressing these underlying issues with compassion and support, the administration’s policy focuses on locking people up – literally.

Louisiana is one example of this trend. The state recently passed a law making it a crime to sleep overnight or camp on public property, punishable by fines of up to $500 or six months in jail. However, there’s an “escape” route: participants can sign up for the Homelessness Court Program, which promises substance abuse treatment, mental health services, job training, and housing assistance.

The program is essentially a form of punishment-by-consent, where participants are forced to sign away their rights in exchange for temporary relief. Those who complete the program can have their conviction erased – but those who don’t risk jail time. This is not rehabilitation; it’s coercion.

Critics argue that civil commitment will strain state treatment centers and exacerbate the crisis. Jennifer Mathis, deputy director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health, says bluntly: “The basic notion behind the executive order seems to be that these people who are unhoused don’t deserve housing.” She’s right – this policy is rooted in a fundamentally flawed assumption.

Other states like Utah and Indiana are following suit, passing laws that penalize homeless encampments or expand involuntary institutionalizations. This trend should give us pause – what does it say about our society when we’re more concerned with punishing the most vulnerable than providing them with support?

The funding changes brought about by this policy are equally concerning. Administration officials claim $700 million in HHS funding has been allocated to help people with addiction and mental illness, but there are limits on how this money can be used – specifically, it cannot be used for Housing First or “harm reduction” policies.

Homelessness is not a moral failing; it’s a public health issue that requires compassion and support. The Trump administration’s policy may have cleared the way for civil commitment, but it will ultimately do more harm than good – and it’s our responsibility as a society to demand better.

As we move forward, it’s essential to remember that homelessness is not solely the result of individual circumstances, but also of systemic failures. By prioritizing punishment over support, we risk exacerbating the crisis. It’s time for us to reconsider the very foundations of our homeless policy and take a more compassionate approach.