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STATEWIDE BAN - Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday issued a strong directive urging all California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments and remove existing camps “without delay,” citing public health, safety, and humanitarian concerns.
The announcement was accompanied by the release of a model ordinance designed to guide municipalities in clearing encampments and preventing new ones. The governor framed the move as a response to local leaders' longstanding calls for resources and legal clarity.
“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,” Newsom said in a statement. “Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history. They asked for legal clarity — the courts delivered. Now, we’re giving them a model they can put to work immediately… The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.”
Support Through Proposition 1 Funding
To support the initiative, the governor's office announced the release of $3.3 billion in funding through Proposition 1, a voter-approved measure aimed at expanding behavioral health housing and treatment for the state’s most vulnerable residents — particularly those who are homeless and severely mentally ill.
The funding is part of a broader statewide effort to address California’s homelessness crisis, which has drawn increasing scrutiny amid visible encampments across urban centers and growing pressure from residents and business owners.
Legal and Administrative Context
Newsom’s call follows a July 2024 executive order directing state agencies to begin clearing encampments that pose safety risks — particularly those located along waterways or in high-fire-risk areas. That order came in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision granting cities the authority to enforce bans on outdoor sleeping in public spaces.
The model ordinance advises local jurisdictions to provide reasonable notice before clearing camps, connect individuals to services, and ensure that personal belongings are stored for at least 60 days. While the governor cannot legally compel cities to comply, his administration signaled that state funding could be withheld from municipalities that fail to take action.
A Push for Urgency and Accountability
The move marks a new phase in California’s ongoing effort to confront its homelessness crisis. Newsom’s administration has faced both praise and criticism over its handling of the issue, with Monday’s directive reinforcing a shift toward greater enforcement while still emphasizing housing-first solutions and behavioral health care.
Local governments are now faced with the challenge of balancing public pressure to act with legal, logistical, and ethical considerations in addressing the state’s growing homeless population.
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