In response to a recent Supreme Court decision allowing governments to crack down on homeless encampments, California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order calling for the removal of thousands of homeless encampments statewide. This executive order is seen as one of the most high-profile responses to the Supreme Court decision, which overturned previous rulings that deemed sweeps of homeless encampments as cruel and unusual punishment. Newsom’s order will target encampments on state-controlled land, such as parks, highway overpasses, and wildlife preserves, giving campers notice and connecting them with housing and services.
Although Newsom cannot force cities to take action against homeless encampments, many local leaders, including those in San Francisco, have already outlined plans to clear them. Advocates for the homeless have criticized these camping bans as inhumane and ineffective, arguing that investing in more housing is a more productive solution. The National Housing Conference released a statement condemning the crackdown on camping without a focus on providing affordable housing, noting that the cost of incarceration is significantly higher than that of housing.
The Supreme Court decision that led to Newsom’s executive order originated from a lawsuit in Oregon, where two homeless individuals challenged a city’s ban on camping in public spaces, citing violations of the Eighth Amendment. The case made its way to the Supreme Court, where the conservative majority overturned the lower court’s decision. Justice Neil Gorsuch stated that federal judges should not dictate the nation’s homelessness policy. This decision has sparked debate and criticism across the country, with various cities grappling with their respective homelessness crises.
California cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have long struggled with homelessness issues, despite significant investments in addressing the problem. In Los Angeles, the unhoused population continues to grow, with wait times for permanent housing placements exceeding two years. San Francisco, although having a lower number of homeless individuals, has also faced challenges in managing the crisis. San Francisco’s mayor London Breed has promised aggressive sweeps of encampments, aligning with Newsom’s executive order, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has voiced concerns about using arrests to address homelessness issues.
As state agencies in California prepare to implement Newsom’s executive order to remove homeless encampments, the debate over the most effective strategies for addressing homelessness continues. Advocates for the homeless stress the importance of investing in affordable housing and services rather than resorting to punitive measures. California’s complex homelessness crisis remains a focal point of discussion and action, as state and local governments grapple with finding sustainable solutions to support those experiencing homelessness. The implementation of Newsom’s executive order marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in California.
