A chill ran through Washington’s homeless community last week that had nothing to do with the August heat. President Trump’s executive order directing federal agencies to “clear the streets” of homeless encampments has triggered widespread concern among advocates and those experiencing homelessness in the nation’s capital.
“They’re treating us like we’re not even human,” said Marcus Johnson, 53, who’s lived under the K Street overpass for nearly three years. “Where exactly are we supposed to go?” His weathered hands trembled slightly as we spoke, a reaction he attributed to both medication and anxiety about imminent displacement.
The executive order, signed August 10th at Mar-a-Lago, authorizes federal agencies to remove encampments from federal property within 30 days. In Washington D.C., where federal land is ubiquitous, this effectively targets much of the city’s homeless population of approximately 4,400 individuals.
My conversations with over two dozen people living in encampments revealed a community gripped by fear and uncertainty. Many described having personal documents and medications confiscated during previous sweeps, complicating their path to stability.
“This isn’t about cleaning up cities – it’s about hiding poverty,” explained Dr. Elaine Foster, director of the National Coalition for Housing Justice. “Forced dispersal without providing adequate housing alternatives simply moves the problem and traumatizes vulnerable people.”
The Department of Housing and Urban Development reported a 12% increase in homelessness nationwide last year, with particularly sharp rises in urban centers. Economic factors, including inflation and housing costs, have pushed more Americans into precarious living situations.
Congressional response has fallen along partisan lines. Representative James Wilson (R-Ohio) defended the order, telling Epochedge, “Our cities shouldn’t look like third-world countries. This administration is finally taking action where previous administrations failed.” His statement reflects the administration’s framing of homelessness as primarily an aesthetic and public safety issue.
Democrats have condemned the approach. “You cannot criminalize your way out of a housing crisis,” countered Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts) during a House Financial Services Committee hearing yesterday. She cited Department of Justice data showing criminalization measures cost taxpayers substantially more than housing-first approaches.
The federal initiative echoes similar measures implemented during Trump’s first term, when his administration considered using federal facilities to relocate homeless individuals from urban centers. Those plans faced legal challenges and were never fully implemented.
Local officials find themselves caught between federal directives and community needs. “We’re committed to humane solutions,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a press statement that carefully avoided direct criticism of the executive order. Her office confirmed they’re seeking clarification on jurisdiction questions and implementation timelines.
The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty has already filed an emergency injunction against the order, arguing it violates Fourth Amendment protections and established case law requiring adequate notice before clearing encampments.
For perspective, I visited Franklin Square Park, where approximately 30 people have established a small community. Volunteers from local church groups were distributing sandwiches and hygiene supplies, their weekly routine now carrying added urgency.
“They come through every few months anyway, tell us to move, then we circle back,” said Denise Williams, 42, who became homeless after losing her apartment following a medical crisis last year. “But this feels different. More final.” She clutched a tattered backpack containing everything she owns.
Some conservative policy experts defend the approach. Robert Marbley of the Urban Policy Institute told me that “compassion without boundaries enables destructive behaviors.” He supports the crackdown but acknowledges successful models require robust transitional services.
Having covered housing policy for fifteen years, I’ve observed that forced dispersal without addressing root causes inevitably leads to the same individuals reappearing elsewhere, often in worse conditions. The cycle frustrates everyone involved – residents, business owners, and those experiencing homelessness themselves.
Weather forecasters predict rain tonight. In a nearby encampment, people were busy securing tarps and elevating belongings. Immediate concerns about staying dry temporarily overshadowed worries about the impending federal action, though not completely.
“I served this country,” said veteran Thomas Hayes, 61, pointing to a military tattoo on his arm. “Now my country sees me as garbage to be swept away.” His encampment near Union Station sits squarely on federal land, making it a likely early target.
As this policy unfolds, the real measure of its success won’t be in cleaner sidewalks but in meaningful reductions in homelessness through dignified, permanent solutions. Until then, thousands of Washingtonians await their fate with growing apprehension, wondering not if they’ll be moved, but when – and where they’ll go next.
