1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I’m writing this letter because I cannot remain silent in the face of a growing humanitarian crisis in Arizona—and now, a federal directive that threatens to make it worse. On July 24, President Trump signed an executive order titled Ending Vagrancy and Restoring Order, which encourages cities and states to remove homeless individuals from public spaces and relocate them to treatment centers, often through involuntary commitment. The order prioritizes federal funding for jurisdictions that enforce bans on urban camping, loitering, and public drug use, while shifting resources away from proven housing-first strategies. This approach is deeply troubling. It criminalizes poverty and mental illness, undermines civil liberties, and ignores decades of research showing that stable housing and access to healthcare—not punishment—are what truly reduce homelessness. In Maricopa County alone, over 9,400 people are experiencing homelessness. Many face serious health conditions without access to care. Our shelter systems are overwhelmed, and affordable housing remains out of reach for thousands. These are systemic failures—not personal ones. I urge you to: • Oppose laws that criminalize behaviors tied to homelessness. • Invest in permanent supportive housing and expand shelter capacity. • Fund health services tailored to the needs of unhoused individuals. • Support community programs that prioritize dignity, recovery, and long-term stability. Arizona deserves policies rooted in compassion and evidence—not fear and enforcement. I hope you’ll stand with those of us who believe in humane, effective change.