WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) strongly opposes an executive order from President Trump that would forcibly remove unhoused people from public spaces and institutionalize them. This order criminalizes poverty and does little to address mental illness, economic distress and other issues that cause homelessness.
Social work is rooted in the belief that every person, regardless of mental health, addiction, or housing status situation, deserves dignity, compassion, and the right to thrive. Homelessness is not a crime. Mental illness and addiction are not moral failings and systems level solutions must be grounded in care, not punishment.
Instead of prioritizing institutionalization, If we are truly committed to ending homelessness and improving mental health outcomes, we must invest in affordable housing, accessible behavioral health services, peer support, and culturally responsive wraparound care.
Social workers across this country know that the path to stability requires early intervention, trauma-informed care, and policies rooted in equity and evidence not criminalization. This executive order moves us backward and directly attacks those experiencing economic distress.
“NASW will continue to advocate for humane, just, and effective responses to the intersecting crises of homelessness, addiction and mental illness,” said NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C. “Our communities deserve better and we must do better.”
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