Gov. Ned Lamont, state and federal lawmakers and housing advocates stand together to denounce President Donald Trump’s executive order directing states to remove people from the streets, possibly by committing them for mental health or drug treatment without their consent.

But unity is absent due to continued friction after the governor vetoed Democrats’ bill intended to create more housing and ease the affordability crisis and shortage facing the state.

“President Trump, homelessness is not a crime,” Lamont said. “Not here in Connecticut and not in America. You have heard the stories of homelessness and who they are. These folks need help, not handcuffs. These folks need housing, not handcuffs.”

Lamont continued: “When I think about the homeless. I think about the folks that are our neighbors. Folks that want folks to look out for them just like we want people to look out for our family if they were in need. That is what Connecticut is about. That is why we are standing up for this executive order and standing up for all of our citizens.”

CT message to Trump: ‘homelessness is not a crime.’ Yet frustration grows over lack of housing., Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, August 5, 2025, available here