Donald Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington. D.C., as the homeless epidemic in the US worsens. The news comes a week after Trump ordered federal officers from the U.S. Park Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as divisions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to patrol the capital to control crime.
“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong. It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border. We went from millions pouring in, to ZERO in the last few months. This will be easier — Be prepared! There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY.’ We want our Capital BACK. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump declared on Truth Social before his media announcement.
Are the unhoused dangerous? Is Trump acting to protect national security or acting as a dictator? The most recent census states that 771,700 people experience homelessness on any given night across the nation. In fact, 23 out of every 10,000 Americans are unhoused, with figures rising substantially in the past three years.
Data indicates that 70% of homeless people in the US have a criminal history. Although data is quite challenging to gather, most estimates believe 65% of homeless individuals used illegal drugs at some point, while one-third admit to active drug addiction. Around half (48%) suffer from mental health issues. Veterans compose around 13% of America’s homeless population, although this figure has significantly declined in the past decade. Unfortunately, homeless individuals may not have the capacity to seek out help, whether it’s due to mental health or drug-related issues.
Acquiring a job without an address or paperwork is one thing, but obtaining a job–let alone a well-paying job–with a criminal record in America is complex. People will take what employment they can find, and those jobs do not pay enough for the essentials.
Many studies cite a lack of affordable housing as one of the main reasons for homelessness. The National Low Income Housing Coalition found that 74% of extremely low-income renters pay more than half their income in rent. Yet, this has become a growing trend in America. The 2023 census found that over a quarter (26.4%) of Americans paid over half their income on rent, while 49.7% pay over 30% of their income on rent, and costs have only risen since the last census.
Charles Schwab conducted a study on the share of Americans who reported lacking enough savings to cover unexpected expenses or the loss of income for at least one month. The study concluded that an astounding 59% of Americans are one missed paycheck away from homelessness. That is a broad statement as it assumes everyone in the study had no support system or ability to access resources. The point of the matter is that there is a rising trend of financial insecurity in America as the personal debt crisis deepens. Homeless rates of this nature are indicative of a failing system rather than mere personal failures.
Yes, resources are available. The Veterans Affairs office has specific services dedicated to homeless veterans and spends $3.2 billion annually on these programs. HUD homeless assistance provides state, local, and nonprofit funding for temporary shelter. There is also a tenant-based rental assistance program through HUD, as the agency spends about $4.7 billion per year on grants. FEMA offers social services and shelter through the McKinney-Vento Act. The Treasury funds the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA), spending billions on temporary housing payments for those unhoused or at risk of eviction. HHS funds the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program for the same demographic. Churches and non-profits also offer services. Federal funding for homeless programs averages around $13 to $15 billion annually, and yet, the population continues to grow. The current options for support are insufficient, and a stagnant economy with rising rates of unemployment only amplifies the crisis.
Between 2020 and 2025, the population of the United States is expected to grow by 3.8%, rising from roughly 331 million in 2020 to an estimated 343 to 347 million in 2025. At the current rate, America’s homeless population is expected to grow to 349 million by 2030. State and federal governments continue to throw money at the crisis without results.
At the time of this writing, it remains unclear where the National Guard plans to relocate the homeless living in the nation’s capital, or what public resources will be used for these efforts. This is a very serious matter that has never been adequately addressed. Relocation efforts are merely a band-aid rather than a solution to this growing epidemic sweeping our nation’s cities.
Of course, this move is likely not about the homeless population at all. We are witnessing the militarization of D.C. Historically, governments surround themselves with troops when they no longer trust the people. It’s the same cycle we’ve seen in ancient Rome when the Praetorian Guard began to function less as protectors of the empire and more as political enforcers. The symbolism is critical–once you militarize your own capital, you are crossing the Rubicon toward authoritarianism.
