California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Thursday instructing state agencies on how to manage and remove homeless encampments. This action follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that permits cities to enforce bans on sleeping outdoors in public areas.
The order targets the numerous tents and makeshift shelters spread across the state, including those along freeways, in shopping center parking lots, and in city parks. However, the decision to clear these encampments will still be made by local authorities.
This directive comes after a significant Supreme Court decision earlier this summer, which allows cities to ban sleeping outside in public spaces. This ruling is considered the most important on this issue in decades and arrives as cities nationwide grapple with the complex problem of increasing homelessness and the accompanying public health and safety concerns.
“There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part,” Newsom stated.
Although Newsom cannot mandate local authorities to act, his administration can influence decisions by withholding funds from counties and cities.
California is home to about one-third of the nation’s homeless population, a persistent issue since Newsom took office. He highlighted that his administration has allocated around $24 billion towards addressing homelessness, including cleaning streets and housing people, but acknowledged the challenge remains. Recently, the administration faced criticism after a state audit revealed inconsistent tracking of whether this significant public expenditure has improved the situation.
Newsom has been proactive in tackling homelessness, supporting a ballot measure earlier this year that narrowly passed, allowing the state to borrow nearly $6.4 billion to construct 4,350 housing units.
The order also comes amidst increased criticism from Republicans about California’s homelessness crisis as Vice President Kamala Harris, formerly a California district attorney, attorney general, and senator, launched her presidential campaign. Newsom, who also has presidential ambitions, directed state agencies such as state parks and the department of transportation to prioritize clearing encampments posing safety risks, particularly those along waterways. These officials are instructed to provide advance notice, connect homeless individuals with local services, and store their belongings for at least 60 days. Local governments are encouraged to adopt similar protocols.
