The Trump Administration is attempting to revamp homelessness policy in the United States. Late last week, the president signed an executive order that, among other things, ends federal support for policies that employ the “housing first” model. It also calls for an increase in involuntary commitments for people with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. The order aims to drastically change how cities and states respond to the homelessness crisis. 

Guest:

Will James, host of KUOW's Lost Patients, an award-winning podcast about homelessness and mental illness in Seattle

Relevant Links:

NPR: Trump signs an executive order to make it easier to remove homeless people from streets

KUOW: Lost Patients

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The Trump Administration is attempting to revamp homelessness policy in the United States. Late last week, the president signed an executive order that, among other things, ends federal support for policies that employ the &ldquo;housing first&rdquo; model. It also calls for an increase in involuntary commitments for people with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. The order aims to drastically change how cities and states respond to the homelessness crisis.&nbsp;
Guest:
Will James, host of KUOW's Lost Patients, an award-winning podcast about homelessness and mental illness in Seattle
Relevant Links:
NPR: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/07/24/nx-s1-5479139/trump-homelessness-executive-order-civil-commitment-camping">Trump signs an executive order to make it easier to remove homeless people from streets</a>
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/lost-patients">Lost Patients</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Libby Denkmann spoke with KUOW's Will James about the Trump administration's attempt to revamp homelessness policy in the United States. 

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