California Gov. Newsom Orders Statewide Homeless Encampment Evictions, Allocates $3.3B

California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a model ordinance urging local governments to ban and clear homeless encampments, citing the urgent need to address the state's homelessness crisis that affects over 187,000 individuals. His directive includes prohibitions on persistent camping and blocking sidewalks, requiring officials to offer shelter options before clearing encampments, supported by a $3.3 billion state investment for housing and treatment services. Newsom emphasized that the time for inaction is over and that local leaders now have the legal clarity and resources to act, following a recent Supreme Court ruling permitting restrictions on homeless encampments. While some advocates criticize these measures as criminalizing homelessness, supporters argue they enable removal of unsafe encampments that impede public access. The governor, who has made homelessness a key issue since taking office in 2019, appears to be the first Democratic governor providing a statewide blueprint for encampment bans. Despite these efforts, questions remain about the effectiveness of funding alone, with some critics attributing the crisis to leadership challenges rather than resources.