California Gov. Gavin Newsom urges cities to remove homeless encampments

Published: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 4:40 pm

Newsom Demands Action on Homeless Encampments in California

California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking a firm stance on the state's homelessness crisis, urging city leaders to dismantle homeless encampments across California. Released on Monday, the new guidelines aim to provide a framework for local governments to address the growing issue.

The core of Newsom's plan focuses on prohibiting long-term camping in one spot and banning encampments that obstruct sidewalks. Crucially, the guidelines mandate that local officials provide advance notice and actively attempt to offer shelter and services before removing any encampment.

Newsom emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "There's nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets." He highlighted the state's significant investment in addressing homelessness, backed by $3.3 billion in voter-approved funds. The governor's plan also draws on the legal precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court case *Grants Pass, Ore., vs. Johnson*, which affirmed the legality of penalties for camping on public property.

The new model is designed to swiftly address "dangerous and unhealthy encampments" and connect individuals experiencing homelessness with essential resources. The Public Policy Institute of California estimates that over 187,000 people experienced homelessness in the state last year, with a significant portion living without any form of shelter.

BNN's Perspective: While the governor's initiative appears to be a necessary step to address the visible and complex issue of homelessness, it's crucial to ensure that the removal of encampments is coupled with readily available and adequate shelter and support services. The success of this plan hinges on the effective implementation of these resources and a collaborative effort between state and local governments to provide sustainable solutions for those experiencing homelessness.

Keywords: Gavin Newsom, California, homelessness, homeless encampments, encampment removal, shelter, housing, services, Grants Pass, public property, unsheltered, state record, local governments, policy, solutions, funding, Supreme Court, Eighth Amendment, Public Policy Institute of California

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