On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order regarding the removal of homeless encampments across the state. The order comes after the Supreme Court ruled in June that cities can legally remove homeless people camping on public property.
The order directs state agencies and departments to adopt policies to address encampments on state properties consistent the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) existing encampment policy, according to a press release. The order also encourages local governments to adopt policies to clear up homeless encampments. According to the Associated Press, Newsom can’t order local authorities to act, but can apply pressure to localities by withholding state money.
The order stated that an estimated 180,000 people experienced homelessness in the state on any given night in 2023, including 123,000 who experienced unsheltered homelessness. The order also noted that the state has invested more than $24 billion under Newsom’s administration to address the state's homelessness crisis.
