The Executive Order issued on July 24, 2025 regarding homelessness and mental health treatment includes many directives that cause us concern.
Extensive evidence has shown that when we prioritize safe and stable housing—and combine it with voluntary and personalized access to resources and treatment—homelessness can be brief and nonrecurring. Policies that criminalize homelessness only increase trauma and instability in our communities; they do not solve the root issue of homelessness. The root issue of homelessness is lack of affordable housing, often compounded by mental illness and substance use disorders.
At Mental Health Association Oklahoma, we will continue to provide humane, compassionate, and evidence-based solutions, remaining steadfast in our mission to ensure that every neighbor has access to housing, healing, and wholeness.