Trump’s New Order Will Force Cities to Clear the Streets—Here’s What That Means for the Homeless

Trump is set to sign a controversial executive order titled “Ending Vagrancy and Restoring Order” on July 24. This directive could make it easier for cities and states to remove people living on the streets or in encampments—and funnel them into drug rehabilitation, mental health treatment, and other facilities.

Under the order, Attorney General Pam Bondi will be tasked with reversing court precedents and dismantling consent decrees that currently limit local efforts to clear encampments. Trump’s messaging is clear: prioritize public safety by targeting open illicit drug use, loitering, urban squatting, and sex offenders—while rewarding cities that crack down.

The White House announced a plan to redirect federal grant money toward jurisdictions that actively enforce those rules, although specific funding levels remain undisclosed. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the move as a dual promise: “Make America Safe Again” and end homelessness by connecting those in need with substance abuse and mental health programs.

What’s next? Bondi, along with officials from Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation, will coordinate which federal grants will prioritize enforcement. With implementation set to begin after Trump signs, local leaders are likely weighing whether to welcome the aid—or push back against deeper federal involvement in homelessness policy.