The White House has said it is exploring using police to remove homeless people from the streets, a vague threat that has escalated concerns about a law enforcement crackdown in California. The announcement came ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the state, where he has intensified attacks on Democratic leaders over the homelessness crisis.
A new report from the president’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) suggested that “policing may be an important tool to help move people off the street and into shelter or housing where they can get the services they need”. The report noted that almost half of all unsheltered homeless people live in California and that policies such as “the extent of policing of street activities” may influence the size of homeless populations.
President Trump complained that homeless people occupy “our best highways, our best streets, our best entrances to buildings” where people “pay tremendous taxes”. He criticised Los Angeles and San Francisco for “allowing what’s happening” and mentioned creating an “individual taskforce” without providing details.
Advocates across the state urged the government not to criminalise poverty and instead increase funding for housing and services, some of which Mr Trump has cut in his budgets. Research has repeatedly shown that arresting homeless people is ineffective and costly, often making it harder for them to find housing.
The CEA report acknowledged that “policies intended solely to arrest or jail homeless people simply because they are homeless are inhumane and wrong”, but argued policing could be useful “when paired with effective services”. Civil rights lawyer Osha Neumann said: “This approach contributes to the problem rather than solving it.” Kourtney Milligan, a 29-year-old living on Skid Row, said the president’s tone was “very aggressive and very hateful” and that what is needed is affordable housing, not police intervention.
