An executive order from President Trump urges local leaders to commit unhoused individuals to long-term institutional settings and remove encampments to restore public order. The order directs federal prioritization of funds for jurisdictions that crack down on open illicit drug use, urban camping, loitering, and squatting and opposes funding for drug injection sites. Massachusetts law allows involuntary civil commitment for substance use or mental health concerns. Local officials in Somerville responded to a small plaza encampment with a supportive approach, while housing advocates warned the order promotes punitive responses amid federal resource cuts.
"This is a policy message. It's not yet the full picture of what comes next," she said. "What we are seeing that is concerning is this punitive response in the message from the federal government at the very same time that they are cutting resources."
"President Trump is taking a new approach focused on protecting public safety because surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor to other citizens," the order's fact sheet said.
Trump called for local leaders to commit unhoused people to "long-term institutional settings" to "restore public order" and to remove encampments.
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