March 25, 2024
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (Council) is disappointed by the Trump Administration’s recent Executive Order which seeks to effectively eliminate the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). The Council has worked alongside USICH through both Democratic and Republican administrations, including the first Trump administration, to address the health care needs of people experiencing homelessness as part of the broader effort to end homelessness. This decision marks a setback in that collective effort, and we recognize the challenges it may pose for communities and partners dedicated to this cause.
USICH has been an invaluable partner in the national response to homelessness. By coordinating the efforts of 19 federal agencies, USICH has ensured that homelessness is not treated as an isolated issue but as a complex, multifaceted challenge requiring collaboration across all levels of government.
For those of us in the field, USICH has also provided invaluable leadership on prevention strategies—approaches that, if implemented on a wider scale, could prevent more people from becoming homeless in the first place. Eliminating USICH would not only remove the collaborative force that unites federal agencies but also send a dangerous signal that homelessness is merely a local issue, to be solved by individual cities and states without the support of a coordinated national strategy. The reality is that many communities simply cannot tackle this crisis alone. Homelessness does not recognize city or state borders. It is a national problem that requires a national response. Local efforts, while crucial, are not enough without the support and leadership that a national agency like USICH provides.
We remain committed to working alongside all partners—governmental and non-governmental—because we believe that every person deserves safe, stable housing and access to the health care they need. The challenges to addressing homelessness demand more collaboration, not less, and we urge the Administration to recognize the need for a national, coordinated response to homelessness and to reconsider the elimination of USICH.
