On July 24th, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” which would make it easier for states and localities to criminalize homelessness. This comes one year after the Supreme Court City of Grants Pass, Oregon vs Johnson in June 2024 allowing jurisdictions to arrest, fine and ticket unhoused people for sleeping outside, even when adequate shelter or housing is not available.
Bridges to Housing Stability has made prior statements on the dangers of “Housing Fourth,” and how this outdated philosophy kept people unhoused for decades. The Housing First model, that has 20 years of national data demonstrating effectiveness in ending homelessness, is how we serve and will continue to use to the best of our ability. Housing First is the most effective approach to ending homelessness and promoting housing stability.
This EO endangers Housing First and all the good it has done for unhoused people. It instructs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to withdraw support for Housing First policies and requires HUD to mandate recipients of homelessness assistance participate in mental health or substance abuse treatment as a condition for receiving aid – regardless of whether it is available or voluntary.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition said it best. “Instead of cutting funding for proven solutions like Housing First and encouraging harmful methods to tackle homelessness, we must urge policymakers to increase funding for effective federal housing subsidies that are vital for addressing the deep, systemic shortage of affordable housing nationwide.” Reach out to your policymakers to find ways to continue supporting evidence-based housing services. Keep watch on initiatives and calls to action from national organizations, including the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the National Coalition for the Homeless, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Here at home, follow the Howard County Housing Affordability Coalition, Renters United Maryland, and Healthcare for the Homeless.
When it comes to funding, we don’t yet know what this will mean for Bridges as an organization. But without a doubt – we will use every resource we have to continue serving unhoused Howard County community members in ways that are proven to work and promote long-term housing stability. As the funding landscape changes, we will keep you informed about the impact this will have on us.
Thank you for all those that support our effective work in the community and help to show love and compassion for our neighbors facing homelessness and housing instability.