MOSSA Act

The Make Our Streets Safe Again Act (MOSSA Act) is a broad federal effort aimed at reducing crime and disorder on the streets by tightening how homelessness and mental illness are addressed in policy and funding. The bill seeks to expand and accelerate the use of civil commitment for individuals with serious mental illness who pose risks to themselves or others or who cannot care for themselves, and to help states implement more flexible treatment approaches, including “step-down” and institutional treatment. It also directs federal agencies to prioritize enforcement of certain anti-vagrancy measures (such as prohibitions on open drug use, camping, loitering, and squatting) and to use civil commitment or assisted outpatient treatment where appropriate. The MOSSA Act further directs federal resources toward homelessness programs with stronger accountability, reduces funding for some broader housing initiatives that deprioritize treatment, and expands oversight and data-sharing requirements with law enforcement. In short, the bill shifts federal policy toward more aggressive intervention, treatment mandates, and enforcement related to homelessness, addiction, and mental illness.