DC Explained: Can San Diego Tackle Homelessness with Less Help from Washington?

As seen on Voice of San Diego, PIC’s Senior Vice President Alan Berube explains how San Diego can manage its homelessness outreach despite fewer federal funds.

An excerpt: On July 24, President Donald Trump issued an executive order entitled, “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.” Although its name may indicate otherwise, the order focuses on how the United States tackles the growing challenges of homelessness.

The order signals the Trump administration’s intent to direct federal support away from states and cities that seek to put unhoused individuals into housing first, and toward places that adopt more punitive measures. Those measures include forcibly hospitalizing homeless people who are experiencing mental illness, conditioning housing assistance on sobriety, and cracking down on urban encampments.

Experts have responded with concern.

“This order represents the most harmful policy proposal on homelessness in my career,” said Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in a statement.

This executive order, like many others issued since January, is likely to face significant court challenges. At the same time, however, it may obscure the wider impacts that changing federal policies could have on efforts to address one of San Diego’s thorniest challenges.