A Way Home America Organizational Statement: Executive Order on DC Encampments, Targeting People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness
Some of us are just one major life event away from finding ourselves in the crosshairs of this predatory executive order, whether or not you live in the DC area.
Washington, DC, is meant to serve as a beacon for the rest of our nation: a beacon of hope, of progress, and, perhaps most importantly, a beacon of fair, democratic policy. Democratic policy entails going through due process and being representative of the people's voices—not just those who have historically enjoyed the privilege of a warm, safe, and stable home to call their own.
We are in the midst of changing seasons. As temperatures rise, the need to protect those who have no choice but to live outdoors rises. In DC alone—a relatively small geographic area—approximately 1,000 individuals are currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Only about 100 shelter beds are available in the surrounding area; this paints a grim picture: unsheltered people are in great danger, and they face even greater danger in light of an executive order from the Trump Administration. Which uses dehumanizing language like “vagrants” to describe humans without shelter.
This executive order, under the guise of “Keeping the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful”, would force the clearing of homeless encampments and would likely crack down on petty crimes, specifically targeting those without shelter. It could also be interpreted to increase a larger federal policing presence and monitor federal property and institutions (e.g. museums, bathrooms, statues, etc.). Our federal government has much work to do, including but not limited to: mitigating corruption, addressing household costs exacerbated by inflation, ensuring all branches of government uphold the Constitution, and more. Instead, government resources and taxpayer dollars are being spent on targeting an already highly vulnerable population. The federal administration should be focused on protecting all of its citizens, not scheming new ways to victimize them. Yet, that is precisely what this executive order aims to do—even encouraging private sector businesses to follow suit.
At A Way Home America, our mission is to transform systems through public policy to prevent and end homelessness for Black, Indigenous, youth of color, and LGBTQIA+ youth, on a path to housing justice for all. As an organization, we oppose any executive action, legislation, or judgment that seeks to either subject more individuals to unsheltered homelessness or attack those already forced to live without shelter or a safe home.
Let’s face it: between climate change (e.g., wildfires, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc.), rising inflation, and family rejection, there are countless ways adults and youth can find themselves without a home or shelter. Some of us are just one major life event away from finding ourselves in the crosshairs of this predatory executive order—whether or not we live in the DC area. As mentioned earlier, our nation’s capital is a beacon, and many other states and cities will follow its example. So, let’s break the cycle and demand that DC be a safe haven for its most vulnerable populations, as well as for all Americans.
We must let the federal government know that we have to protect our own citizens.
The A Way Home America team.
For a comprehensive list of presidential actions, EOs, and related legislation to date, visit www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/
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