California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a sweeping executive order aimed at urging cities to eliminate homeless encampments. However, studies indicate that the clearing of these encampments may not lead to a long-term reduction in homelessness.
At the conclusion of the Supreme Court’s term, a ruling made it easier for authorities to dismantle homeless encampments. Following this, California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order mandating state agencies to address the issue directly and encouraging local governments to follow suit. The order specifically targets homeless camps located on state property and seeks to prompt cities and counties to take similar actions.
The order has two primary components. The first component requires state agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction to formulate policies for the removal of encampments. The California Department of Transportation, which oversees numerous highway-adjacent areas where people often camp, has been highlighted as a model for implementing regular cleanup operations.
While the order emphasizes the need for action, it remains uncertain which other state agencies may be significantly impacted. In urban areas like Los Angeles, state parks typically do not host large encampments, leaving the potential effectiveness of the order open to interpretation. The second component encourages local governments to enhance their efforts in clearing encampments, mirroring the state agencies’ initiatives.
Despite this encouragement, local governments are not mandated to comply. The governor lacks the authority to compel cities or counties to revise their policies or intensify their actions. Importantly, the order does not provide additional resources, such as more shelter beds or housing opportunities, for those in need. Instead, it serves primarily as a call to action for cities to intensify their efforts to address homelessness.
In response to the executive order, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass remarked on the city’s existing comprehensive strategy for managing street encampments, which prioritizes housing and supportive services. She noted a recent decline in street homelessness for the first time in years but emphasized that merely relocating individuals or issuing citations is ineffective in tackling the issue long-term.
Research supports the mayor’s viewpoint. A recent study revealed that individuals experiencing homelessness often return to previously cleared sites within months after encampment removals. Observations from cleanup efforts indicate that people frequently relocate to nearby areas, underscoring the need for sustainable housing solutions rather than temporary fixes. While the governor’s order encourages cities to connect individuals with available housing resources, the current supply remains inadequate to meet the demand.
