Gov. Newsom Orders Removal of Homeless Encampments in California

California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies to dismantle thousands of homeless encampments across the state. This directive follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that grants local governments greater authority to remove homeless individuals from public spaces. The order will affect tens of thousands of people and represents one of the most extensive responses to the homelessness crisis, especially in California, where housing costs are among the highest in the nation. The Supreme Court's decision, which upheld an Oregon city’s ban on homeless residents sleeping outdoors, has sparked widespread implications for how cities manage homelessness.

The executive order will guide California cities and counties on increasing enforcement and providing housing and services, though it cannot compel local authorities to take action. Governor Newsom's administration has also indicated that they may influence local governments by withholding funding if necessary. This move has received mixed reactions, with some local officials praising the state’s commitment to clearing encampments from dangerous areas, while advocates for homeless people express concerns about criminalizing homelessness without addressing its root causes. Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has invested $24 billion into homelessness initiatives, but the state continues to grapple with an estimated 180,000 homeless individuals, the highest number in the nation.