How the Trump Administration Plans to Overhaul Spending on Homelessness
How shifting federal funds could reshape homelessness policy.
Note: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
The Trump administration announced an overhaul of how it will reallocate funds for housing and the homeless. The changes involve $3.9 billion in funds used to place people in permanent housing. That money will now be shifted to programs with work requirements and mandatory treatment, and to law enforcement to support clearing encampments. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Jennifer Ludden of NPR.
View the transcript of the story.
Tracking the Plan and the Shift in Funding
- How much money is being redirected by the White House?
- What was the purpose of the fund that is being redirected?
- What are some of the ways the Trump administration seeks to address homelessness with the funds?
- Who are the "chronically homeless" and what does the Trump administration want them to do to receive housing?
- Why do homeless advocates see the Trump plan as "unrealistic"?
Understanding Impact and Motivation
- What do you think is motivating the Trump administration to make this change in funding for homelessness programs? Do you think work requirements and addiction treatment requirements will help reduce homelessness? Why or why not?
- The federal government is just one source of funding and support for homeless populations. What do you think this change will mean for non-governmental organizations and state and local governments?
- Media literacy: Who else would you want to hear from to better understand the reasoning behind the change, as well as its potential impact?
Extension Activity
Part of the strategy of the Trump administration is to crack down on homeless encampments, or people living in tents on public property. But what happens to homeless people when they are pushed out of encampments? Read the News Hour article, "Trump wants to clear homeless encampments. Here’s what usually happens, according to experts," then discuss:
- Why do you think clearing encampments is a priority for the Trump administration and some state and local governments?
- What are the consequences for those that are pushed out, according to the article?
Finally, as a class, research what your community's policy is toward encampments. Do you think the policy should be changed? If so, how?
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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
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