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riversedge

(75,145 posts)
Sat Apr 19, 2025, 12:39 PM Saturday

Trump wants D.C.'s homeless out of sight. Experts say that doesn't help.

Source: msn



Story by Kyle Swenson • 4h •

D.C. has cleared 21 homeless encampments this year and more are scheduled for later this month and May, city officials said this week. More than 40 people were living at those encampments and encouraged to move elsewhere, according to the city.

The sweeps, which officials insist has always been part of its approach to homelessness, come as President Donald Trump has repeatedly put pressure on Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to address D.C’s crime and cleanliness. In early March, Trump told Bowser that the city needed to remove encampments by the State Department and White House, or federal officials would be “forced to do it for her.” Later that month, Trump issued an executive order that included a directive for the National Park Service to remove all homeless encampments from federal land in the District.

.....................

Rising housing costs, the end of pandemic-era financial support and stagnant wages have led to increased homelessness in every county in the Washington region.

But service providers also believe the District’s emphasis on closing down camps has contributed to the problem. Sweeps and cleanups, homelessness service providers and advocates say, only shuffle the unsheltered from one place to another rather than addressing root causes, such as creating more affordable housing................................





Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-wants-d-c-s-homeless-out-of-sight-experts-say-that-doesn-t-help/ar-AA1DdNM9?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=e7d1d054c6b6434bff650dd0f2063f9f&ei=8



Trump himself and his Billionaire friends can help by providing mental health care, housing and permanent jobs. IMHO.
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Trump wants D.C.'s homeless out of sight. Experts say that doesn't help. (Original Post) riversedge Saturday OP
Maybe he can dip them in gold Johonny Saturday #1
Just like he wants injured Veterans, children, and non white people, Tadpole Raisin Saturday #2
And paying their fair share of taxes. Grifters. CrispyQ Saturday #3
Trump should blind his eyes IronLionZion Saturday #4
OK, Flatulent Franco, Slanderous Selassie, Mango Nero Jerry2144 Saturday #5
There is no easy answer Blackjackdavey Sunday #7
I trust experts. twodogsbarking Saturday #6
He'll probably have them shipped to the "world's coolest dictator." Vinca Sunday #8
You're wrong. Trump cannot provide mental health care or affordable housing. ... JustABozoOnThisBus Sunday #9

Tadpole Raisin

(1,753 posts)
2. Just like he wants injured Veterans, children, and non white people,
Sat Apr 19, 2025, 12:45 PM
Saturday

as well as uppity women out of sight.

Unless you give him money. Then for a nanosecond you’re a great person, wonderful, I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.

But stay out of sight.

CrispyQ

(39,505 posts)
3. And paying their fair share of taxes. Grifters.
Sat Apr 19, 2025, 12:50 PM
Saturday

I don't know how it's possible, but I hate him more everyday.

Jerry2144

(2,779 posts)
5. OK, Flatulent Franco, Slanderous Selassie, Mango Nero
Sat Apr 19, 2025, 01:37 PM
Saturday

You want them out of sight? Where are your policies to help the dehomed find homes? What are you doing to help?

The right wants to just arrest the dehomed and lock them up. They don't want to solve the problem of why they have no home. When Reagan killed of the mental institutions and started the war on the middle class, it just made things worse. I've seen statsitics showing there are more vacant homes than there are dehomed in this country. There's an easy answer to getting the dehomed off of the streets. And then help them out with what they need, whether it's job training, eductaion, substance abuse, mental health care, or protection from domestic abusers. The state and federal government have the power and the money to help. They just lack the moral will to do the right thing.

Blackjackdavey

(206 posts)
7. There is no easy answer
Sun Apr 20, 2025, 07:10 AM
Sunday

It isn't that easy.

It may appear so from the perspective of people that assume everyone would choose the structure and responsibility required to maintain housing and employment but, they do not.

It is likely true that most would choose FREE housing that had no rules or expectations but every emergency housing or shelter program has rules and some semblance of required structure in order to maintain safety at the very least.

Houseless people are often folks who have already opted out of standard lifestyles, established norms and societal expectations. These are people who have long ago adapted to traveling light. Or mentally ill folks who haven't responded well to medication, can't manage it or just don't want to take medication. They don't readily adapt to standard housing.

The point is, throwing up housing isn't the panacea it is portrayed as. It doesn't automatically fix the issue. Nor does mental health treatment. Or "jobs." Obviously all those things offer part of a solution but there is no one size fits all.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(24,082 posts)
9. You're wrong. Trump cannot provide mental health care or affordable housing. ...
Sun Apr 20, 2025, 09:28 AM
Sunday

... It just isn't in him. Or the billionaire friends he rode in on.

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