Gov. Lamont — who vetoed a highly anticipated pro-housing bill in June — says his state will not criminalize homelessness or force the institutionalization of unhoused people.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont avowed that his state will not comply with President Trump’s order to criminalize homelessness and forcibly institutionalize unhoused people, reports Ebong Udoma for WSHU.
In a news briefing at the state capitol, the governor addressed Trump directly, saying, “homelessness is not a crime. Not here in Connecticut and not in America.” The governor pointed to housing investors who drive up rent costs and the overall shortage of affordable housing as causes of the homelessness crisis, adding that “We’ve got to stand up for those folks on fixed incomes. They don’t have any options. Those are the fastest group of people who are homeless right now.”
The governor said the state is attempting to tackle the crisis through a housing bill that aims to spur more housing construction. However, Lamont vetoed a housing bill in late June that promoted density and transit-oriented development, saying it left local officials with too little decision-making power.
FULL STORY: CT will not comply with Trump's order to criminalize homelessness
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