Newsom Urges Local Homeless Encampment Bans

California Governor Gavin Newsom has urged cities and counties to adopt ordinances banning persistent homeless encampments from public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, and bike paths, with a proposed three-day limit on camping in one place and a requirement to offer shelter before clearing camps. The model ordinance is voluntary and supported by a recent Supreme Court ruling expanding local authority to remove encampments. Newsom's plan is backed by $3.3 billion in new Proposition 1 funding for behavioral health housing and treatment, though this funding is not dependent on ordinance adoption. The push follows criticism over the state's $24 billion homelessness spending since 2019 and comes as California prepares for major events like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Advocates warn that the approach could criminalize unhoused people without solving shelter shortages, while supporters argue it addresses public safety. Newsom's initiative also comes amid speculation about his national political ambitions.