The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is tightening measures against homeless tent encampments in the nation’s capital. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that those who refuse to move into shelters and receive assistance may face fines or arrest.
She said the authorities will offer relocation, as well as access to addiction treatment programs and mental health support.
In recent months, tackling homelessness has become one of the White House’s priorities. Since March, the U.S. Park Police have dismantled 70 homeless encampments in Washington, with the last two expected to be cleared this week. The measures also involve expanded federal involvement, including up to 800 members of the National Guard and 500 federal law enforcement officers.
These actions are part of the president’s initiative launched after the signing of an executive order on July 24 that authorizes forced relocation of the homeless and eases legal restrictions on involuntary hospitalization. The document also marks a shift away from the “Housing First” strategy that had been the cornerstone of homelessness policy in recent years.
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 771,000 people were homeless in the United States in 2024 — the highest number ever recorded. Despite its relatively small population, Washington remains one of the cities with the highest proportion of homeless residents.
Several human rights organizations have criticized the initiative, calling it a threat to civil liberties and a questionable tool for addressing the crisis. They argue that a shortage of shelter space and a lack of long-term support programs could further exacerbate the problem.
