California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered the removal of homeless camps across the state. Announced on July 25, the order stresses the need to quickly address unsafe encampments and help the people living there. Newsom wants state agencies to act fast and has given advice for cities and counties to do the same. He emphasized that everyone must work together and that there are no more excuses for inaction.
The homeless population in California, particularly in Los Angeles, remains a significant issue. CNN reports that there are approximately 45,253 unhoused individuals in Los Angeles and about 75,312 in the broader Los Angeles County, marking California as the state with the largest homeless population.
Despite the executive order, the removal of encampments ultimately depends on local authorities’ decisions. Newsom’s administration cannot enforce the order directly but can influence compliance by withholding funds from non-cooperative cities and counties.
Reactions to Newsom’s order have varied across California. In San Francisco, the mayor’s spokesperson, Parisa Safarzadeh, indicated that the city had already been proactive in addressing homeless encampments.
She mentioned that daily efforts to bring people indoors and clean up encampments have resulted in a five-year low in the number of tents on the streets. Similar efforts have been noted in Los Angeles areas like Venice, Hollywood, and Skid Row, although these initiatives have only achieved temporary reductions in the homeless population, with numbers eventually increasing again.
The issue of homelessness is not confined to California. Other states have also taken legislative steps to address the problem. For instance, in March, Florida passed a bill that bans unhoused individuals from sleeping on public property.
In Ohio, a June Supreme Court ruling allows for the ticketing of homeless individuals who sleep outside. These measures reflect a broader trend of states enacting laws aimed at managing the presence of unhoused individuals in public spaces.
Governor Newsom’s executive order represents a significant move in California’s ongoing struggle with homelessness. The order calls for immediate action from state agencies and encourages local governments to follow suit, although the ultimate implementation remains in the hands of local authorities.
As California navigates this challenge, the varying approaches and responses across different regions highlight the complexity and scale of the homelessness crisis.