NHCEH Responds to President Trump's Executive Order

Last Thursday, the White House issued a new Executive Order,

“Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.”

NHCEH is highly concerned that the Executive Order:

De-funds lifesaving, evidence-based approaches to stabilization such as Housing First and Harm Reduction – long established best practices that are shown to produce positive outcomes

· Shifts the focus away from the need to address the systemic causes of homelessness – the lack of affordable housing and a workforce trying to make ends meet on wages drastically misaligned with housing costs

· Encourages the criminalization of homelessness in lieu of focusing on evidence-based strategies and long-term solutions

· Calls for the involuntary civil commitment (forced inpatient treatment) of people experiencing homelessness who have mental health conditions or substance use disorders, instead of expanding support available in the community

· Threatens funding of states and municipalities who do not engage in such criminalization and involuntary hospitalization practices “to the maximum extent of the law”

Uses language that seeks to capitalize on the deep-seeded stigma that already exists against our most vulnerable neighbors rather than calling for a compassionate response rooted in data-driven strategy

In the words of the National Homelessness Law Center,

“To build truly safe, healthy, and just communities, we need housing and healthcare, not handcuffs and budget cuts.”

NHCEH appreciates that the Executive Order recognizes the “comprehensive services for individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorder, including crisis intervention services” provided by entities such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). However, it is our strong belief that the approaches put forth in the Executive Order will result in displacement and disconnection from such critical community resources rather than build upon the work that has helped bring countless residents home.

A federal commitment to the expansion of funding for community-based programs and case management services for people experiencing homelessness is the path to addressing the root causes of homelessness and achieving lasting change. NHCEH urges community members and decision-makers to support data-driven solutions that prioritize making affordable, accessible housing, health care, and support service options available to all NH residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.