Cicero Institute Drives Trump Homelessness Policy Into 15 States
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 22
Cicero Institute Drives Trump Homelessness Policy Into 15 States
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 22
Summary
Fifteen states have enacted Cicero-backed homelessness laws, with 11 making it a crime to sleep outside, as the think tank’s once-fringe approach became official Trump administration policy.
Weekly White House calls and Cicero input helped shape a Trump executive order that treats homelessness as a public-safety issue, pushes camping bans and involuntary treatment, and cuts support for permanent housing.
Joe Lonsdale expanded Cicero after moving from California to Texas in 2020, turning frustration with San Francisco encampments into a state-by-state campaign that claims 214 laws passed in 29 states since 2021.
Utah and Texas became key proving grounds, while the Supreme Court’s 2024 Grant’s Pass ruling accelerated adoption of camping bans across more states and cities.
Housing advocates and researchers say the model criminalizes homelessness and ignores evidence that housing affordability and permanent housing, not forced treatment or jail, address the root problem.