California governor promises to withhold funding from cities and counties for failure to clear encampments

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a strong warning to local governments, urging them to take action against homeless encampments or risk losing state funding next year. During a news conference in Los Angeles, Newsom emphasized the importance of moving people out of encampments and into shelter, stating that cities and counties not making sufficient efforts will face financial consequences.

The governor collaborated with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Thursday to clear multiple encampment sites, displaying his commitment to tangible results rather than just data or reports. This move is part of Newsom’s heightened efforts to motivate local authorities to address the issue of homeless encampments effectively. Last month, Newsom directed state agencies to initiate clearance operations on state-owned land and urged local governments to follow suit, despite lacking legal authority to mandate such actions.

Newsom’s executive order was influenced by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting governments to remove individuals from encampments, even if shelter beds are unavailable. With California accommodating a significant portion of the nation’s homeless population, estimated at one-third, the governor has prioritized tackling homelessness since assuming office. The state has allocated approximately $24 billion towards street clean-up and housing initiatives under Newsom’s leadership, including grants exceeding $3.2 billion for local governments to address encampments and support homeless individuals.

Newsom stressed that the focus is on providing essential aid to vulnerable individuals rather than criminalizing homelessness, reiterating the urgency of the situation. The governor has previously threatened to withhold funding from local governments exhibiting inadequate progress in combatting homelessness. Despite some municipal leaders resisting Newsom’s approach, citing concerns about its effectiveness, the governor commended efforts by San Francisco’s mayor to reduce outdoor sleeping. The California State Association of Counties refrained from commenting directly on Newsom’s recent announcement, reiterating their commitment to collaborating with the governor to address homelessness effectively.