People living on the streets and in encampments have high rates of substance use disorder and mental illness. According to a nationwide study, 75% of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness report a substance use disorder and 78% report a mental health condition. The study found that substance use disorder contributed to the loss of housing for 50% of the unsheltered population, and mental health conditions contributed to loss of housing for 51% of the population. CoCs should direct resources towards outreach, intervention, and assistance that helps people regain self-sufficiency. Consistent with Executive Order 14321 “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” CoCs should work with law enforcement, first responders, and their state and local governments to reduce encampments, public camping, and public drug use in order to address barriers to maintaining housing and increasing self-sufficiency.

Safety and security for all members of the public, especially those living unsheltered, is essential to promoting a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. CoCs should cooperate with law enforcement to advance public safety for the entire community impacted by homelessness. No one should sleep outside on the street or in dangerous encampments, and everyone should be able to enjoy public spaces safely. HUD encourages CoCs to assist in preventing and minimizing the trauma associated with living on the streets or in encampments, especially for women and youth that are the victims of sexual assault and trafficking. Unchecked public camping and public illicit drug use inhibit nonprofit providers and local government from effectively addressing homelessness. First responders are critical partners in engaging people into treatment and services and protecting public order and vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness. In Grants Pass v. Johnson, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the authority of local governments to prohibit public camping.

One of the purposes of the CoC program is to minimize the trauma associated with homelessness. CoCs should encourage providers to provide trauma informed care and ensure participant safety in programs, especially for youth and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Women experiencing homelessness or domestic violence should have access to safe, single-sex spaces and other considerations for personal privacy (24 CFR 578.93(b).