"The fact that it also applies to homeless veterans ... is really a slippery slope."
The Trump administration is proposing policies that could institutionalize homeless individuals, including veterans, against their will. The VA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department regarding state court guardianship for veterans.
VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the memorandum is intended for veterans who cannot make competent medical decisions, not homeless veterans. "We have veterans ... who are in our facilities ... They have no family, no representation and ... are not able to make competent choices for their own healthcare," Collins said.
Congressman Mark Takano criticized the VA for withholding information and warned of fraud risks in guardianship. "I've given VA multiple opportunities ... to clarify its intent, and it refuses to do so," Takano stated.
Background
Homelessness among veterans has decreased significantly over the past decade, attributed to robust funding and the "housing first" approach. President Trump signed Executive Order "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets" in 2023, which includes involuntary treatment for homeless individuals.
A leaked slide deck described a proposed VA plan called "Safe Harbor," which would involve involuntary commitment of homeless veterans. Collins called it a proposal and denied it is linked to the guardianship memorandum.
Statements of Concern
"The original documentation was directly linked to the president's executive order ... It's disingenuous for anybody from the VA to say this was meant for a different population."
Ann Oliva (National Alliance to End Homelessness) emphasized the connection between the leaked plan and the executive order.
Jess Finucan (IAVA) expressed alarm: "The fact that it also applies to homeless veterans ... is really a slippery slope."
Outreach Example: Building Trust
In Long Beach, California, outreach workers Pedro Jauregui and Veronica Hood (U.S. Vets) build relationships with homeless veterans over time. They helped an 87-year-old Navy veteran, Curtis Ervin, who had been homeless for years, to accept housing after establishing trust.
"As you saw with Ervin, it could be both beneficial or it could be extremely traumatic."
Hood highlighted the delicate balance of intervention. The example illustrates the value of voluntary, trust-based approaches contrasted with proposed involuntary measures.