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.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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