Trump aims to clear DC encampments as housing or services offered

President Donald Trump has moved to remove homeless encampments from Washington, D.C., as part of a broader effort to crack down on crime and disorder in the capital. The administration says local police and federal agencies will enforce existing laws, offer housing or services to those living on the streets, and relocate those who refuse shelter or services. Officials indicated 70 encampments have already been removed, with two remaining in federal parks and slated for removal this week. City leaders are preparing additional shelter space to accommodate people who are displaced, including a facility that could house up to 200 individuals if necessary.

The plan arrives amid a public push to end what the administration calls “Housing First” policies that prioritize immediate housing without requiring treatment or accountability. Proponents of Housing First argue that stable housing is a prerequisite for tackling mental health and substance-use issues, while critics contend that housing alone does not address underlying causes and that treatment and support must accompany housing. The administration contends that, while housing is important, it must be paired with accountability,...