Gov. Gavin Newsom Orders For Removal Of Homeless Encampments In California

In a move to address the growing homelessness crisis, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-California) has issued an executive order directing state agencies to begin to take down homeless encampments across California.

The order calls on state officials to adopt “humane and dignified policies” to swiftly address encampments on state-owned properties. This move has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, with some advocates expressing concerns about the potential criminalization of homelessness and the lack of available housing solutions.

The decision to begin dismantling thousands of encampments comes a month after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Grant’s Pass, Oregon, for ticketing homeless people for sleeping outside. The ruling rejected arguments that such “anti-camping” ordinances violated the Constitution’s ban on “cruel and unusual” punishment.

The town’s attorney said blocking the law has “made it impossible for cities to address growing encampments.”

“And they’re unsafe, unhealthy and problematic for everyone, especially those who are experiencing homelessness,” lawyer Theane Evangelis told the high court.

With over 180,000 individuals without stable housing, California has the largest homeless population in the nation. According to a 2023 homelessness assessment report to Congress from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, An estimated 653,100 people were experiencing homelessness nationwide – a jump of around 12% since 2022.

A recent study by the Rand Corp’s Center on Housing and Homelessness found that encampment clearing efforts in Los Angeles had little long-term impact on the number of people living on the streets. The study observed temporary declines in the unsheltered population, which often returned to previous levels within two to three months. This finding highlights the need for a more holistic approach that addresses the underlying causes, such as the shortage of affordable housing, mental health and addiction support, and job opportunities.

Last week, San Francisco Mayor London Breed recently ordered the removal of encampments in her city after coming under heavy criticism.