Newsom, California to Continue Its Crackdown on Homeless Camps

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California’s homeless crisis has long drawn national scrutiny, but this week marked a new shift in strategy. Gov. Gavin Newsom formally urged cities across the state to ban homeless camps, unveiling a model ordinance that reflects his growing urgency on the issue. Though he stopped short of linking funding to compliance, the message was clear: the state is out of patience.

California is home to nearly a third of the nation’s homeless population. In cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, public frustration over tent encampments has risen alongside concerns about safety, sanitation, and livability. Newsom, a Democrat often viewed as a likely 2028 presidential candidate, is now moving toward more assertive measures to clear these camps, even as debates continue over the adequacy of housing and services.

Why Homeless Camps Are Under Fire

Encampments have become one of the most visible symbols of California’s struggle to manage homelessness. Sidewalks, parks, and overpasses in major cities are dotted with tents and makeshift shelters. Local leaders argue that while billions have been spent, the encampments continue to grow.

Newsom’s model policy echoes ordinances already in effect in cities like San Diego. It calls for bans on long-term camping in the same location and the removal of camps that block sidewalks or access points. Crucially, it requires that cities offer some form of shelter before clearing an encampment. That detail aligns with last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave legal clearance for more direct enforcement.

Advocates argue that there are still too few shelters or treatment beds to accommodate displaced individuals. Yet supporters of Newsom’s approach insist that the status quo—people living in tents near schools and businesses—is unacceptable. Downtown San Diego, for example, saw a drop in its homeless population from 2,104 in May 2023 to 902 last month after enforcing its encampment bans.

What’s Behind California’s Political Shift

Until recently, Democratic leaders in California largely avoided visible enforcement. The focus was on funding housing, mental health care, and addiction services. But public opinion has shifted. With growing support from voters for tougher action, Democrats like Newsom are recalibrating their messaging.

In a press conference, Newsom said, “There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets.” He framed the model ordinance as a humane tool that balances enforcement with care. At the same time, he avoided explicitly tying future funding to the policy, instead offering what he called a “preview of expectations.”

To reinforce the announcement, Newsom also released $3.3 billion in Proposition 1 funding. This money, approved by voters in 2024, is earmarked for building behavioral health housing and treatment centers. That follows $27 billion in earlier funding to local governments since the start of Newsom’s term. But the governor has grown more vocal in his criticism of how cities have used those funds, often accusing local leaders of failing to deliver results.

State and Local Tensions on the Rise

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, one of the few local officials to comment publicly, welcomed Newsom’s announcement. He said it aligned with his own view that enforcement must be paired with shelter and services. But not all cities are expected to adopt the model ordinance immediately. Some, particularly those facing lawsuits or strong activist opposition, may move cautiously.

Frustration is also mounting around encampments on state-owned land. Lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 569, aimed at compelling state agencies like Caltrans to remove camps on their property. Newsom’s executive order last year already instructed agencies to act, but enforcement has been uneven.

As calls grow for greater consistency, advocates and officials alike agree that enforcement alone is not a solution. What’s emerging is a coordinated push to back encampment bans with more shelter options, stronger mental health care systems, and sustained funding. Whether cities can move fast enough to satisfy both state leaders and their own residents remains to be seen.

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