President Trump recently ordered the clearing of encampments built by unhoused people on federal land in Washington, D.C.

In an opinion piece in Greater Greater Washington, Susannah Petitt argues that destroying the encampments formed by unhoused people in Washington, D.C., a move ordered by a Trump executive order, does nothing to stem the homelessness crisis.
Like many advocates for homeless Americans, Petitt points to the systemic problems that are pushing more people into homelessness. “While removing these encampments may make the city’s homeless residents less visible, it will do little to get to the root of the problem. When policymakers only see homelessness as an aesthetic problem, they miss the people and stories inside the encampments they wish to destroy.”
Destroying the relatively safe places people have found in encampments misses the real problem in DC, and will do little to improve safety. Ending homelessness requires supportive services that meet the needs of people where they are. Destroying encampments is just hiding homelessness from the view of the West Wing.
According to Petitt, reducing homelessness requires coordinated support from governments, community organizations, and social networks. “If the DC government and President Trump are serious about getting the homeless off the streets, they should emphasize community care by better supporting outreach efforts by nonprofits and individuals, not destroying encampments.” As individuals, Petitt urges people to take a minute to meet their homeless neighbors and offer a gesture of assistance or support.
FULL STORY: Destroying encampments won’t reduce homelessness in DC

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service