California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies to address dangerous homeless encampments and clear them from state land, following a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces. The order comes as California struggles with a high number of homeless individuals due to the lack of affordable housing and rising cost of living. The order raises questions about its implementation, as details are still being finalized.
The executive order directs state agencies to remove homeless encampments from state land, including state parks, beaches, agency buildings, highways, and areas beneath them. The California Department of Transportation has already removed thousands of encampments and debris along state rights of way since July 2021. The agencies are required to assess if there is an imminent threat to life, health, safety, or infrastructure before clearing a site, provide notice to residents, and offer outreach services. People must also be allowed to store their personal belongings for at least 60 days.
While city and county officials are not legally bound to follow the executive order, they are encouraged to adopt similar policies. Newsom has previously threatened to withhold funding from local governments if they do not make progress in addressing homelessness. Some officials have expressed plans to continue clearing encampments, despite concerns about the lack of available shelter beds. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the importance of housing and services in addressing homelessness, rather than punitive measures or citations.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed has promised aggressive sweeps of homeless encampments following the Supreme Court decision, stating that the city’s existing outreach teams have been doing this work for years. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, chair of the California Big City Mayors coalition, welcomed the governor’s direction but did not specify what action would be taken. The group includes mayors from the state’s largest cities, with San Diego having previously passed an ordinance banning encampments in certain areas if shelter beds are available.
The executive order applies to various state agencies responsible for managing state buildings, parking lots, parks, beaches, and recreational areas. The order comes after the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a city ban on sleeping outdoors in public spaces, overturning a previous ruling that such bans violated the Eighth Amendment where there were insufficient shelter beds. With this legal barrier removed, local governments now have the authority to clear homeless encampments. Newsom’s order aims to address the ongoing homelessness crisis in California with a focus on providing tangible and meaningful solutions.
As details continue to be finalized, the implementation of Newsom’s executive order will likely involve coordination between state agencies, local governments, and service providers. The order seeks to balance the need for public safety and sanitation with a compassionate approach to addressing the underlying causes of homelessness. California’s response to the homelessness crisis will require a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes housing, services, and support for vulnerable populations. It remains to be seen how cities and counties will respond to the governor’s directive and what impact it will have on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness across the state.
