MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Southern Poverty Law Center condemned the presidential executive order announced today that attempts to cut funding for states that have implemented proven methods to combat homelessness and prevent the forced institutionalization of people who are unhoused.
“Homelessness is not a crime,” said Kirsten Anderson, deputy legal director at the SPLC. “Instead, it’s a failure of our elected leaders to provide stable and secure housing to some of the most vulnerable among us, including people with disabilities and people living in poverty.
“President Trump ran on a promise of helping people afford a home, but his actions since taking office show that he’d rather lock people behind bars than ensure they have a safe place to sleep. Our nation is facing a housing emergency that demands bold leadership. It demands solutions to address people’s suffering and curb the rising rates of homelessness and the skyrocketing costs of homeownership. It is shameful that the president is instead resurrecting unlawful and outdated approaches to housing that are rooted in racist stereotypes and bias against people with disabilities.
“Simply put, denying funding to states that help people in crisis access humane living conditions is cruel, shortsighted and dangerous.”
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.