Statement from The Bautista Project Inc.On President Trump's Executive Order "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets"

July 28, 2025

The Bautista Project Inc. stands firmly opposed to President Trump's executive order targeting our unhoused community members. This order abandons decades of evidence-based policy in favor of criminalization and forced institutionalization—approaches that research consistently shows are both harmful and ineffective.

Our Position: Belonging, Not Banishment

As an organization founded on the principle that everyone deserves dignity and belonging, we reject any policy that treats homelessness as a crime rather than addressing its root causes. Our founder, Marla Bautista, experienced homelessness firsthand and understands that what people need most is not handcuffs or forced institutionalization, but stable housing, supportive services, and a community that sees their worth.

The executive order's call for "civil commitment" and enhanced criminalization directly contradicts what we know works. Housing First approaches—which prioritize getting people into stable housing before addressing other challenges—have proven effective worldwide. Research shows these programs reduce homelessness by 88%, significantly decrease emergency service costs, and help up to 98% of participants maintain housing stability.

What This Means for Tampa Bay

Here in Tampa Bay, we've already seen the harmful effects of criminalization through Florida's HB 1365, which bans sleeping in public spaces without providing adequate shelter alternatives. Our community members experiencing homelessness are not statistics to be institutionalized or problems to be removed from sight. They are our neighbors, our veterans, our family members who deserve support, not punishment. Many face complex challenges including job loss, medical emergencies, domestic violence, or inadequate wages—issues that require compassionate, comprehensive solutions.

Our community members experiencing homelessness are not statistics to be institutionalized or problems to be removed from sight. They are our neighbors, our veterans, our family members who deserve support, not punishment. Many face complex challenges including job loss, medical emergencies, domestic violence, or inadequate wages—issues that require compassionate, comprehensive solutions.

The Evidence is Clear

Decades of research demonstrate that:

• Housing First programs generate $1.44 in savings for every $1 invested

• People in permanent supportive housing show 77% housing retention after three years

• Criminalization approaches increase costs while failing to address underlying causes

• Forced treatment has twice the overdose death rate compared to voluntary programs

These aren't just numbers—they represent real people whose lives improve when we prioritize housing and dignity over punishment and isolation.

Our Continued Commitment

Despite these federal policy changes, The Bautista Project remains steadfast in our mission to create belonging for all Tampa Bay community members. We will continue to:

Provide Dignity-Centered Services: Our Snack Paxx, Belonging Box, and You Belong programs will continue meeting people where they are with compassion and respect.

Support Evidence-Based Solutions: We will advocate for housing-first approaches, mental health support, job training, and other proven interventions that address root causes.

Build Community Belonging: Every person deserves to feel valued and connected. We reject policies that isolate and criminalize vulnerability.

Stand with Our Military Community: Through our VetPoint 100 program, we continue supporting veterans and military families who have served our country and deserve our respect, not criminalization.

A Call to Our Community

Tampa Bay, we need your support now more than ever. While federal policy may shift toward punishment, our local community can choose compassion. Here's how you can help:

Support Local Organizations: Donate to and volunteer with organizations providing direct services to unhoused community members. Volunteer with us or make a donation.

Advocate for Evidence-Based Policy: Contact local officials to support housing-first approaches and oppose criminalization measures.

Challenge Harmful Narratives: When you hear dehumanizing language about homelessness, speak up for dignity and evidence-based solutions.

Get Involved: Join our volunteer opportunities and see firsthand how relationship-based approaches create lasting change. Sign up for our next service opportunities.

Moving Forward Together

The path forward isn't through institutions and handcuffs—it's through housing, services, and communities that embrace everyone. Research from cities across the globe shows us that when we prioritize housing and dignity, homelessness decreases, communities become safer, and costs go down.

At The Bautista Project, we've seen this work. We've watched community members move from the streets to stable housing, from isolation to belonging, from crisis to hope. This happens not through force or punishment, but through meeting people with dignity and providing the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Our Promise

We promise to continue standing with Tampa Bay's most vulnerable residents. We promise to advocate for policies rooted in evidence, compassion, and respect for human dignity. We promise to create spaces where everyone belongs, regardless of their housing status or personal challenges.

The federal government may choose criminalization, but Tampa Bay can choose community. Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community has a safe place to call home and the support they need to thrive.

Everyone deserves belonging. Everyone deserves dignity. Everyone deserves a chance to rebuild their life with support, not punishment.

The Bautista Project Inc. is a Tampa-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness through dignity-centered, evidence-based approaches. Founded by Marla Bautista, who experienced homelessness herself, our organization provides essential services while advocating for systemic solutions that create lasting change.

Join our mission: Volunteer or donate

Follow our advocacy: Connect with us on social media for updates on our response to this developing situation

Read the full executive order: Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets

Learn about Florida's camping ban: HB 1365 Full Text