California Governor Gavin Newsom has introduced an extensive plan to address the state’s critical homelessness crisis, effectively guiding cities, towns, and counties to prohibit tent camping on sidewalks and in parks. This announcement was made on Monday, May 12.
According to the governor’s statement, local governments are expected to adopt and implement these policies promptly. This initiative comes alongside an anticipated influx of funding for addressing homelessness and mental health, following the approval of a multi-billion-dollar bond measure by voters in November, along with a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that facilitates the arrest and fining of individuals sleeping in public spaces.
The proposed ordinance aims to eliminate encampments that impede sidewalk passage and remain in persistent locations. It mandates that local officials give prior notice and provide alternative shelter options before clearing encampments, ensuring that the process is humane and organized.
These regulations are presented as a model ordinance rather than a strict mandate, allowing municipalities to customize the guidelines to fit their specific needs. The state will furnish a template as an initial framework for communities to adapt.
California, which has the highest population of any U.S. state, accounts for a substantial fraction of the country’s homeless individuals—approximately a quarter of all unhoused Americans live in California, according to federal statistics.
Governor Newsom, along with key officials from the Department of Health and Human Services and mental health leaders, will convene at 1 p.m. PT for a livestreamed event to further discuss the administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance behavioral health services for California’s seriously ill and homeless populations.
“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,” Newsom stated. He highlighted the government’s commitment to providing resources, legal clarity, and actionable plans to local leaders aimed at addressing encampments and connecting individuals with necessary shelter and care.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in tackling homelessness in California, showcasing a blend of compassion and practicality aimed at fostering a more humane approach to this persistent issue.