Since the Obama Administration adopted the Housing First model in 2014, homelessness has increased:

• 36.5% in the U.S. during the past decade (from 565,000 to 771,000)
• 77.7% in WA since the start of the Inslee Administration in 2013 (from 17,760 to 31,554)
• 67.9% in King County since it was declared an emergency in 2015 (10.047 to 16,868)

The Trump Administration’s July 24 Executive Order (EO) has shaken up how our country will confront its homelessness crisis, especially in how we attempt to help the overwhelming majority of destitute individuals suffering with mental illness and drug addiction. Essentially the federal actions were the first step in dismantling the controversial and expensive “Housing First” homelessness policy (and its companion “Harm Reduction” drug policy).

Housing First is the belief that homelessness will be reduced if those without shelter are given free or heavily subsidized housing regardless of addiction, mental health, or criminal activity. Harm Reduction drug policies stem from needle exchanges during the AIDS epidemic and have since expanded to provide free drug tools to addicts, “safe” injection sites, and even given lethal drugs (i.e. “Safer Supply”) like heroin and methamphetamine to addicts.

Because of the EO, these increasingly complex issues will be hotly debated in court rooms, legislative bodies, and candidate debates in the coming months.

One of the best discussions on the orders comes from author Michael Shellenberger and the Manhattan Institute’s Chris Rufo, two former Democrats who are critical of their former party’s homelessness strategy since it has only increased the number of people suffering. (both Shellenberger and Rufo will be featured at the August 19-20 NW Sanity Forum – more on that later in the article).

Rufo explains why politicians in large cities and America’s liberal West Coast have refused to correct an obviously failed policy, “(They) calculate that (they’re) relatively safe from voters, but more vulnerable to the NGOs, Housing First developers, and the ACLU. So (the politicians) side with them.” (Note: “NGOs” are non-governmental organizations, often non-profit groups dependent on government funding. Typically, they have large government contracts to provide housing to those who are homeless. Many critics say NGOs “dominate the debate” to keep taxpayer money funding their efforts, regardless of results.)

Rufo and Schellenberger describe this new EO as a major shift in how the federal government approaches the homeless crisis.  Rufo stated there are three planks:

1. Moving from “Housing First” to “Treatment First” homelessness policies.
2. Allow for involuntary commitment of those harmful to themselves or others.
3. Reducing homelessness will decrease public disorder and crime.

While moving to a treatment-based approach has been significantly discussed, the last two planks are worth delving deeper.

Shellenberger points out that nearly all advanced countries except the U.S. have processes to involuntarily commit those who are a danger to themselves or others. The problem in our country is that a few court decisions have placed constraints on governments and families to commit those who pose a risk. The EO instructs the US Attorney General to work through the courts to find a legal pathway to commit those who desperately need treatment.

Many people who should be committed are those who create much of the public disorder associated with homelessness. They live in unsanitary conditions, assault innocent victims, and commit property crimes.

According to the “broken window” theory, if you allow a small amount of disorder to take place (like an encampment in a park) then this will encourage more serious crimes to take place. As Schellenberger points out, if the tents are removed then retail thefts, assaults, and harmful conditions are reduced.

We encourage you to watch this Public News discussion between two experts on the homelessness crisis.

Both Chis Rufo and Michael Schellenberger will be featured at the August 19-20 NW Sanity Conference. They are both former Democrats who believe their old party has abandoned common-sense solutions to appease the radical fanatics who push DEI, Housing First, and other extreme ideas.

Many other great speakers (including Congressman Michael Baumgartner, Dr. Gad Saad, and Abigail Shrier) will be presenting during this local, lively two-day event. Reserve your space today and join many others who are seeking rational solutions to our problems.

Click here to learn more and to register for the NW Sanity Forum.