Newsom Pushes Homeless Encampment Ban, Tied to Funding

California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a model ordinance urging cities and counties to immediately ban homeless encampments, blocking persistent camping and sidewalk obstructions, and requiring that shelter is offered before camps are cleared. This initiative is supported by a recent Supreme Court ruling granting cities broad authority to enforce such bans and $3.3 billion in new state funding, primarily from Proposition 1, to expand housing and treatment for those with serious mental illness and addiction. While adoption is voluntary, Newsom is pressing local governments to act swiftly, emphasizing the urgency of the crisis. Advocates warn that enforcement could criminalize unhoused individuals amid shelter shortages. Some cities, including San Jose, are considering stricter penalties for those refusing shelter. Newsom's move marks a shift in the Democratic approach to homelessness, pairing increased enforcement with expanded service investment.