Image Credit: California Office Of The Governor
(North County Beat) – California Governor Gavin Newsom, empowered by a recent Supreme Court ruling, issued an executive order on Thursday directing state officials to start dismantling homeless encampments.
This action follows a Supreme Court decision supporting an Oregon city’s ordinance that penalized homeless individuals for sleeping outside, rejecting claims that such laws violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Newsom emphasized the urgency of the order, which mandates state agencies to address encampments humanely and provides guidance for cities and counties to follow suit. “There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part,” he declared.
California, home to the largest homeless population in the U.S. with over 180,000 people, faces a growing crisis. The latest federal report indicated a nationwide increase in homelessness by 12% since 2022, with 653,100 individuals affected.
Newsom’s order has sparked debate. Critics argue it criminalizes poverty and shifts blame onto the homeless. Chris Herring, a UCLA sociology professor, and Michael Weinstein of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation voiced concerns over the potential for increased fines, arrests, and lack of available shelter.
While San Francisco officials report progress in reducing street tent counts, advocates like Jennifer Friedenbach of the Coalition on Homelessness warn that shelter shortages persist. A recent study by the Rand Corporation found that encampment clearings in Los Angeles have little lasting impact, with temporary declines in homelessness quickly reversing.
Governor Newsom praised the Supreme Court’s decision for clarifying local authorities’ ability to clear unsafe encampments, though he stressed the need for collaborative efforts between city and county governments to develop sustainable housing solutions.
