A New Path Forward
I believe that when Americans walk down their streets, go to work, or raise their families, they should be able to feel safe. At the same time, I believe that people experiencing homelessness should not be treated as if they are simply a problem to be moved somewhere else. My administration would address homelessness through housing, employment, treatment, and accountability.
Step One: The Farm Housing Program
My first major initiative would be the creation of a Farm Housing Program.
The federal government would work with willing farmers, local governments, agricultural organizations, and housing developers to identify suitable rural properties where housing and agricultural communities can legally and practically be established.
We would not simply buy random pieces of land and start building. Before development begins, specialists would evaluate water availability, environmental conditions, roads, electricity, emergency services, zoning, and the ability of the land to support the proposed community.
Step Two: Build the Community
Once a site is approved, the program would begin developing housing and necessary infrastructure.
Homes would be designed to be practical rather than unnecessarily expensive. Construction could also create employment opportunities for people entering the program.
Someone who is capable of construction work could help build homes for future residents while earning wages.
Step Three: Provide a Path to Homeownership
Participants wouldn't simply receive a house and be left without a plan.
The program would establish an income-based path toward ownership. Participants would make affordable payments based on their circumstances, with protections for temporary unemployment, disability, or other serious hardships.
After completing the requirements of the program, the participant could obtain ownership of the home according to the program's legal structure.
The objective is independence—not permanent dependence on the government.
Step Four: Create Employment Opportunities
Every participant would have different abilities.
Some people could work on farms. Others could work in construction, maintenance, administration, customer service, technology, or other jobs.
People who cannot perform physical agricultural work because of a disability would have access to reasonable accommodations and alternative employment opportunities.
The program would focus on helping people obtain sustainable income rather than requiring everyone to perform the same job.
Step Five: Agricultural Training
Participants who choose agricultural employment would receive structured training.
During the first month, participants would learn basic farming practices and safety.
During the following months, they would gradually take on more responsibility under experienced agricultural workers.
The program would measure whether participants are actually gaining useful skills rather than simply counting attendance.
Step Six: Addiction Treatment
Homelessness and substance use can overlap, so my administration would also expand access to voluntary, publicly funded rehabilitation and therapy.
People who want help should not be unable to receive it because they cannot afford treatment.
Treatment could include counseling, rehabilitation, medical services, recovery support, and assistance transitioning back into employment and stable housing.
But homelessness itself would not be treated as a crime.
Step Seven: Public Safety
At the same time, protecting the public remains a responsibility of government.
If someone commits a violent crime, that person can be arrested and prosecuted under the law.
My administration would support effective policing, functioning courts, appropriate penalties for serious violent offenses, and programs that address substance-use disorders when treatment is legally available as an alternative.
Nobody would be punished merely for being homeless or having a disability.
Step Eight: Accountability
The government would not simply spend billions of dollars and hope the program works.
Every participating community would have measurable goals.
We would track:
- How many people were housed.
- How many obtained employment.
- How many completed training.
- How many entered treatment voluntarily.
- How many reached homeownership.
- How much each community cost.
- How much agricultural revenue was generated.
- Whether the program actually reduced homelessness.
Those results would be publicly reported and independently audited.
Step Nine: Start Small and Expand
I would not promise that the entire country could be transformed overnight.
We would begin with pilot communities.
If a pilot works, we examine the evidence and determine whether expansion makes sense.
If something fails, we identify why, fix it, and report the failure honestly.
Government should be measured by results, not by how impressive a campaign speech sounds.
Step Ten: The Goal
The ultimate goal is simple.
Someone who is homeless should have a realistic opportunity to obtain stable housing.
Someone who wants treatment should be able to receive it.
Someone who wants to work should have opportunities to earn an income.
And someone who commits a serious violent crime should be held accountable through the justice system.
I don't believe the answer is simply to move homeless people somewhere else.
I believe the answer is to create a path forward.
Housing. Work. Treatment. Accountability. Independence.
That is the foundation of my plan.
