The Pushback Against a Punitive Approach to Homelessness
As 2025 draws near, the debate over how to address homelessness in America is heating up. Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has sparked a renewed focus on social issues, with one of the most controversial proposals being his plan to incarcerate the homeless. The idea of using punitive measures to solve homelessness has gained traction, but it has already proven to be ineffective in the past. In Oregon, the concept is being met with resistance—especially as many recall the failure of similar policies on the West Coast.
Trump’s plan calls for creating large encampments on affordable land where homeless individuals would be forced to reside, receiving services from social workers, mental health professionals, and treatment specialists. If they refuse to comply, they could face incarceration or be placed in mental health institutions. This approach, while seemingly offering a solution, fails to address the root causes of homelessness and risks violating civil liberties.
A Familiar and Flawed Proposal
The concept of “locking up” homeless individuals is not new. For years, similar proposals have been floated in cities like Portland, Oregon, and other West Coast regions. These plans have yet to succeed, primarily due to the high costs and logistical challenges of operating such systems at scale. While supporters argue that incarceration can keep people off the streets, these strategies have historically affected less than 5% of the homeless population. Essentially, they offer a Band-Aid solution to a far deeper issue.
The truth is, solving homelessness requires a fundamental shift in approach—one that focuses on housing first, harm reduction, and respect for the dignity and rights of individuals. Policies need to address the systemic problems that lead to homelessness, such as job loss, high housing costs, and the lack of affordable shelter. Punitive strategies ignore these root causes, opting instead to criminalize people for their circumstances.
Housing First: A Proven Solution
Studies and evidence-based practices have shown that providing stable housing is the key to resolving homelessness. Housing-first models, which prioritize placing individuals in permanent housing before addressing other issues like mental health or addiction, have seen success across the nation. Research consistently supports the idea that stable housing is the foundation for long-term recovery and reintegration into society.
It’s clear that a focus on providing affordable housing, along with supportive services, is a much more effective and humane approach. The homeless crisis cannot be solved by simply sweeping individuals off the streets and locking them away.
In Oregon, the situation is particularly dire. In the 2023 statewide homeless count, there were 20,110 homeless individuals in Oregon alone. It is not a problem that can be solved overnight with the stroke of a pen. Addressing homelessness requires consistent and comprehensive efforts, including more affordable housing, mental health services, and economic policies that tackle poverty at its core.
The Dangers of Criminalizing Homelessness
The push to criminalize homelessness has gained momentum in recent years. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow local governments to criminalize the homeless condition, there are now calls to roll back Oregon’s protections for unsheltered individuals. In the past, Oregon’s laws have safeguarded the rights of the homeless, providing reasonable restrictions on when and where people could be forced off the streets.
Many local governments have seen the court’s decision as an opportunity to further crack down on homelessness. But this approach runs the risk of exacerbating the crisis, pushing individuals into further poverty and desperation. Criminalizing homelessness does nothing to address the underlying issues—poverty, lack of affordable housing, and limited access to mental health and addiction treatment. It only adds another layer of harm to an already vulnerable population.
The Oregon Way: A Commitment to Dignity and Justice
Oregon has long prided itself on progressive policies that prioritize human dignity and justice. The state’s approach to homelessness has been rooted in the understanding that people are not defined by their circumstances, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, regardless of their economic situation.
Reviving the old state hospital system, as some have suggested, is not the answer. Instead, the focus must be on expanding affordable housing and providing comprehensive support services to those in need. It’s also critical that policies are aligned with the principles of racial and economic justice, ensuring that marginalized communities are not disproportionately impacted by homelessness.
While the push for federal intervention is growing, it’s essential to remember that the Oregon Way is about solutions that respect individual rights and focus on long-term, sustainable strategies. It’s not about locking people up or shuffling them into camps. The path forward requires thoughtful, compassionate solutions that prioritize housing, health, and the dignity of every person.
Looking Ahead: The Need for a Compassionate Approach
As the nation stands at a crossroads, the decisions made in 2025 will have lasting consequences for the homeless population. Oregon is at the forefront of this fight, and its approach will set the tone for how the rest of the country addresses homelessness moving forward. The state cannot afford to regress into punitive measures that have already been proven ineffective.
Instead, Oregon must continue to champion policies that prioritize housing first, harm reduction, and a commitment to economic and racial justice. The stakes are high, and the path forward is clear: invest in solutions that respect the dignity and humanity of those experiencing homelessness.
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