Chase Chats: How to Aid the Unhoused After Trump’s Executive Order on Homelessness

By Paul R. Pace

During an NASW Facebook Live event on Sept. 17, panelists discuss homelessness as it relates to President Trump’s July 4 executive order titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.”

Rising authoritarianism and the crackdown on the unhoused are troubling signs across the nation, says NASW President Yvonne Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW.

An executive order signed by President Trump on July 24 aims to 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, says NASW.

“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,” says Mel Wilson, NASW senior policy adviser. “Homelessness is not a crime. Mental illness and addiction are not moral failings and systems level solutions must be grounded in care, not punishment.”

To guide social workers on this issue, Chase hosted a Facebook Live panel discussion on Sept. 17 called “Chase Chats: Rising Authoritarianism and the Crackdown on Homelessness.”

Panelist Emily Kenney, MSW, director of Strategic Initiatives and Transformation at the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, said as with many of the White House executive orders issued this year, enforcement of the orders is unclear. Because of this, there is anxiety and uncertainty for the social work workforce, she said.

Panelist Victor Manalo, PhD, MSW, is a past president of the NASW California Chapter and a retired university professor. For nearly 12 years, he served on the Artesia City Council in Southeast Los Angeles County. He remains active in local government in Los Angeles County.

Manalo said Trump’s executive order so far has not changed how the county addresses homelessness. He said officials there are “wondering, waiting and bracing” for how potential cutbacks to services may impact the unhoused community.

Kenney said her organization also has not yet seen changes related to the executive order, but added that her county’s response to help the unhoused is hyper local and meant to be that way.

“We need to come up with our own responses regarding any mandates that come down,” she said. “We need to advocate in the federal and local levels to embrace any changes that may come.”

Kenney noted many nonprofits are re-examining their strategic plans with consideration of these executive orders from the White House. “There is a lot of thinking and innovation and strategizing going on in our communities to fund (programs),” she said, adding that social workers need to be a bridge between the funding coming in from states or counties to aide those in need of housing and substance use treatment.

Social workers need to be prepared to do the work and “stand up and say this isn’t right,” she said. “We need all social workers to bang that drum even if it is against the rules.”

Manalo said social workers can be part of the solution as cities work on ways to address the unhoused population. “We don’t have to stay silent on what’s going on,” he said. “There is a place for us to help and be part of the process.”

Kenny said there is a plethora of evidence that shows the solution to aid the unhoused is to focus on providing housing for them. We know it is cheaper and more effective than incarceration, she said.

Wilson, who also was a panelist, said typically there are no transition services for those who are incarcerated for being unhoused. He said it is imperative social workers be part of coalitions that focus on issues like helping the unhoused, such as the Coalition on Human Needs, based in Washington, D.C.

“Advocacy and activism should go hand in hand, Wilson said. “We do have to mobilize. We can’t shrink away from this.”

Manalo called for social workers to be active in government, which helps raise awareness about the issues social work clients face. “If you ever thought about running for elected office, talk to me, I will help you,” he said.

“Chase Chats,” an ongoing series of Facebook Live events hosted by NASW President Yvonne Chase, examines current issues that affect social workers and those they serve. Past topics include artificial intelligence, self-care and climate change. You can view the recordings on NASW’s YouTube channel.