California state agencies have been ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom to start removing homeless encampments, following a Supreme Court decision that allowed crackdowns on homeless campers. This executive order targets thousands of homeless encampments across the state, which has the largest homeless population in the nation. The decision comes after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing governments to break up homeless camps, with state agencies set to clear encampments on land they control, giving campers notice and connecting them with housing and services. While Newsom cannot force cities to take action, many local leaders, including those in San Francisco, have already outlined plans to clear encampments.
Advocates for the homeless have criticized camping bans as ineffective and inhumane, arguing that punishing homeless individuals without providing housing solutions only perpetuates chronic homelessness. The National Housing Conference released a statement on the day of the Supreme Court decision, highlighting the importance of investing in affordable housing rather than criminalizing homelessness. The cost of incarceration, the statement points out, is much higher than the cost of providing housing to homeless individuals.
The Supreme Court decision that led to this executive order originated from a lawsuit in Oregon, where two homeless individuals challenged a city’s ban on camping in public spaces as a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The case made its way to the Supreme Court, where six Republican-appointed justices sided with the city, overturning the previous decision that ruled in favor of the homeless individuals. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the majority opinion, emphasized that federal judges should not dictate national homelessness policy.
Cities in California, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, have long grappled with homelessness crises. Despite billions of dollars being spent to address the issue, the number of unhoused individuals continues to rise. In Los Angeles County alone, there were over 75,000 homeless people in 2023, with a significant portion returning to the streets after briefly using shelter services. Wait times for permanent housing placements can exceed two years. The mayors of these cities have differing views on the Supreme Court decision, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticizing the ruling and advocating for more holistic approaches to homelessness, while San Francisco Mayor London Breed has pledged to conduct “very aggressive” sweeps of encampments starting in August.
As California state agencies prepare to implement Gov. Newsom’s executive order to clear homeless encampments, the debate over how to effectively address homelessness in the state continues. Advocates argue for investment in affordable housing and support services, while critics of camping bans point to the futility of punitive measures without addressing the root causes of homelessness. The Supreme Court decision has set a precedent for governments to crack down on homeless camps, but effective solutions to address homelessness in a comprehensive and compassionate manner remain a challenge for policymakers and advocates alike.
