Dealing with the homeless crisis equitably S4E176 09.08.2025

Today, we answer a question from Crystal, who lives in Rochester, MN. I serve as a medical services coordinator at a nonprofit clinic, where I work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness. From this work, I’ve seen firsthand that while housing is not a cure-all for every challenge people face, it provides the essential foundation for stability, health, employment, and recovery. In Rochester, local stakeholders are working diligently, but we continue to face roadblocks that prevent real progress. At the same time, President Trump’s rollbacks at the federal level risk undermining the strides communities have already made. My question is this: What should cities, especially wealthier ones with the resources to make meaningful change, be doing to move beyond stalled efforts and truly address the homelessness crisis in ways that are sustainable and equitable for the people who live in our communities?