Reject Trump’s “Ending Crime and Disorder on American Streets” executive order

Reject Trump’s “Ending Crime and Disorder on American Streets” executive order requiring the federal government and states to expand large-scale institutional commitments in lieu of proven community-based services for individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, or substance use disorders. The Executive Order creates an image of a dystopian society, but there are no streets in our country that are overrun with lawlessness as he describes. Community-based approaches deliver more humane care, uphold civil rights, and cost a fraction of the proposed institutional model. Trump’s proposal for institutional civil-commitment programs encompassing secure facilities, 24-hour staffing, and high-intensity supervision would be two to ten times more expensive per person each year than Medicaid-funded home and community-based services. In practical terms, every dollar invested in community services leverages two to ten dollars saved on institutional care. • Community-based average annual cost: $6,522–$29,949 • Institutional commitment average annual cost: $50,000–$175,000 Beyond cost, community-based care is far more humane. It: • Preserves personal autonomy by allowing individuals to live in familiar settings • Fosters social inclusion through supported housing, peer networks, and employment services • Reduces trauma, isolation, and the dehumanizing effects of detention-style facilities • Aligns with the Olmstead decision and the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act by ensuring services are provided in the least restrictive environment Evidence shows that community-based models improve health outcomes, lower hospitalization rates, and increase long-term stability. Jurisdictions that expanded supportive housing and mobile treatment teams have seen declines in emergency room visits, fewer arrests, and faster recovery trajectories — all while spending significantly less than institutional backlogs. To achieve both fiscal responsibility and compassionate care, I recommend that you: 1. Prioritize funding for home and community-based services under Medicaid and SAMHSA grants. 2. Redirect existing resources from civil-commitment beds to supported housing and mobile outreach teams. 3. Direct HUD & HHS to jointly create outcome metrics focused on housing stability, health improvements, and system cost-savings. 4. Enact legislation to uphold Olmsted and reinforce the right to community integration and due process for service eligibility decisions. By embracing community-based services, we can ensure taxpayers’ dollars are invested wisely and that vulnerable individuals receive dignified, evidence-based support. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to both fiscal prudence and the humane treatment of our fellow citizens.