Trump promises new approach to getting homeless off the streets while mandating mental health treatment

President Donald Trump is vowing a new approach to getting homeless people off the streets.

He wants to forcibly move those living outside into large camps while mandating mental health and addiction treatment.

Housing First was implemented nationally in 2004 under the Bush administration to combat chronic homelessness.

Now, the assault on “Housing First ” has begun.

Last year , the federal government estimated that more than 770,000 people in the U.S. were homeless, a record high.

Conservatives blame Housing First for the rise in homelessness and are instead pushing for mandatory treatment.

Experts say both Republicans and Democrats are undermining Housing First by criminalizing homelessness.

Housing First has worked for those who have gotten indoors, yet the number of people falling into homelessness outpaces those getting housing.

Jeff Olivet , who succeeded Marbut at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness under Biden , says Housing First is not just about sticking somebody in an apartment and hoping for the best.

Olivet says there was never enough money to provide housing and supportive services.