California Governor Gavin Newsom Mandates Removal of Homeless Camps

Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to begin clearing homeless encampments on public property using new powers after the U.S. Supreme Court’s OK last month.

In an executive order issued Thursday morning, the governor directed agencies to remove camps that pose a threat to “life, health and safety.”

The order could affect tens of thousands of people living in tent camps across California. The latest count showed about 180,000 people in the state were experiencing homelessness on any given night. About 123,000 were homeless and sleeping in tents, wagons or exposed to the elements.

The Newsom administration has invested $24 billion in recent years to reduce that number, but it has only grown.

Now the governor is using a new set of tools provided by a recent Supreme Court decision that allows state and local governments to arrest or fine people who camp on public property.

Newsom wrote a brief in support of Grants Pass, the Oregon town at the center of the lawsuit, arguing that previous rulings had “tied the hands of state and local governments to resolve this issue.”

Before the ruling, cities were required to shelter people sleeping on public property before citing or arresting them.

Under the new order, state agencies are still urged to partner with local governments to facilitate shelter and other support services before the camps are removed.

“This executive order directs state agencies to move immediately to address dangerous encampments while providing aid and assistance to the people who live in them — and cities and counties to do the same,” Newsom said in a statement. provides guidance for,” Newsom said in a statement. “The state is working hard to address this crisis on our roads. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”

The order directs agencies to develop policies to remove encampments from state property, including parks and roadways.

It urges agencies to provide at least 48 hours’ notice before clearing a camp and to label and store any personal belongings collected during sweeps for at least 60 days.