The president pushed for sweeping crackdowns and the possible internment of people experiencing homelessness. To see what's coming, we should look to what states have already done.

Louisiana's controversial handling of homelessness during the Super Bowl — spending $17.5 million to bus people to an unheated warehouse — may signal a troubling shift in how cities address visible homelessness. Roshan Abraham of Shelterforce and Next City reveals growing momentum for more aggressive approaches nationwide.
The move comes as HUD Secretary Scott Turner refuses to condemn the use of detention camps for people experiencing homelessness. Instead, Turner has criticized the evidence-based Housing First model, raising concerns among advocates about federal policy shifts.
Cities are already testing new tactics:
- San Francisco and Portland opening sanctioned encampments with strict rules
- New York City expanding involuntary psychiatric holds
- California launching CARE Courts for mental health treatment
- Fremont, California criminalizing assistance to people living outdoors
The chief mechanism for change could be HUD funding, which advocates fear will be used to incentivize states and cities to adopt more aggressive approaches. Those who previously resisted criminalization may soon claim they have no choice.
The privatization of these efforts raises additional concerns. In Louisiana, a disaster recovery contractor ran the “transitional center,” paying staff far more than comparable government positions while conditions remained poor.
For urban planners and policymakers, these developments signal a potential sea change in how American cities handle homelessness—one that prioritizes removal and containment over evidence-based solutions.
FULL STORY: Trump Wants to Force Homeless People into ‘Tent Cities.’ Can He?

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie