President Donald Trump announced on August 10 that homeless individuals in Washington, D.C. must “move out immediately,” as part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing crime and public safety in the US capital. The statement was made via Trump’s Truth Social account, where he also promised relocation options “far from the Capital.”
The announcement follows a recent deployment of approximately 450 federal law enforcement officers to the city, including agents from the FBI, DEA, US Marshals Service, and US Park Police.
Mayor Muriel Bowser responded to the president’s remarks during an interview on MSNBC, stating that “this is not 2023. We have spent over the last two years driving down violent crime in this city, driving it down to a 30-year low." According to the Metropolitan Police Department, homicides and robberies are down in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, continuing a trend that began after a spike in 2023.
The specifics of Trump’s homelessness plan remain unclear. In previous statements, he has proposed relocating unhoused individuals to tent encampments on inexpensive land outside urban centers.
Rates of homelessness continue to rise as housing costs climb across the United States. Nearly 15% of Americans now spend half or more of their income on rent alone.
Among the most vulnerable are US military veterans—currently, nearly 33,000 are experiencing homelessness nationwide.
If you or someone you know is at risk, understanding the facts and knowing where to turn can make a critical difference.
Click through for key data, resources, and where to access support.