Homeless Shelter 'Campuses': Less Tents, More Fences
The New York Times enthusiastically covers Utah's new 'homeless campus,' framed as a compassionate solution reflecting Donald Trump's vision. Meanwhile, across the country, cities are criminalizing homelessness with aggressive new ordinances. Federal funding for housing programs has seen significant cuts over decades, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's budget disproportionately
shrinking while military aid to countries like Israel (receiving over $3.8 billion annually) remains untouched. The 'campus' model often consolidates services, which can also mean consolidating control and, some argue, isolating vulnerable populations from broader communities. One might wonder if this 'vision' for the unhoused, emphasizing confinement and strict rules, is less about genuine care
and more about clearing urban streets for optics. While millions of dollars are poured into policing and militarized solutions for social issues, actual affordable housing initiatives and mental health services continue to be defunded. Perhaps a more 'visionary' approach would involve adequately funding housing and support systems, rather than simply putting a new name on incarceration.