• Newsom Calls on California cities to ban camping in one place for more than three days and enforce stricter rules.
• The governor links future state funding to real results in reducing long-term street camps, emphasizing Newsom Calls for tangible outcomes.
• Critics warn that Newsom Calls plan may hurt homeless people more without enough shelters or housing.

Governor Gavin Newsom wants California cities to get serious about clearing homeless camps. On Monday, Newsom Calls for every city to pass new local laws. These laws should ban people from camping in one spot for more than three days. Newsom also wants to stop people from building shacks on sidewalks or blocking streets and public spaces. He shared a sample rule that cities can copy. His goal is simple: clean up the streets and push people into shelters or treatment programs.

Newsom made his pitch during a virtual press event. He said cities need to move fast. “We want this rule in every community,” he said. He warned cities not to go too far. For example, Fremont once tried to make helping homeless people illegal. Newsom said that approach was wrong. Cities should focus on shelter, services, and basic rights. He also told cities to give people a 48-hour notice before clearing a camp. They must store any personal items and allow owners to reclaim them.

Governor Warns Cities About Budget Cuts for Inaction

Newsom didn’t force cities to follow his plan. But he made it clear—cities that ignore his call may lose state money. “I’m done funding failure,” he said. He plans to include new rules in his upcoming budget. These rules will connect homelessness funding to real results. Cities that don’t follow through could lose access to state support.

On Wednesday, Newsom will reveal his updated budget proposal. It may include limits on money for cities that don’t take action. He wants any new funding to come with strings attached. Cities must show progress on encampments before getting more help.

State Invests Billions in Mental Health and Addiction Care

Newsom also announced major spending on mental health. He said the state will invest $3.3 billion to help people with serious mental illness or addiction. That money will fund more than 5,000 residential beds. It will also support 21,800 outpatient care slots. These services aim to help the people most in need—those living on the streets and struggling every day.

The money comes from Proposition 1. Voters approved it in March. The bond totals $6.4 billion. The state will use it to create new treatment options and support systems. Dr. Margot Kushel, a top expert on homelessness at UCSF, called the funding “awesome.” She said California has done good work with programs like Homekey, which turned hotels into housing. But she said the camping ban plan won’t fix the root problem.

Many Shelters Are Unsafe or Have Harsh Rules

Even when shelter beds are available, many people avoid them. Some shelters don’t allow pets. Others don’t let people bring their partners or their personal items. Many also have strict rules or curfews. Earlier this year, CalMatters reported problems in several shelters. Some had violence. Others lacked proper oversight or support. These conditions push people back onto the streets.

City Leaders Back Newsom but Ask for More Help

Some city leaders welcomed Newsom’s push. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the governor’s support will help cities act faster. He wants to arrest people who refuse shelter three times in 18 months. “We need shelter options in every city and mental health care in every county,” he said.

But other leaders want more funding. Carolyn Coleman leads the League of California Cities. She said the real problem is money, not laws. “Cities need long-term state support to match the size of the crisis,” she said. Her group liked the new $3.3 billion for mental health. But that money won’t help cities enforce the camping bans.

Earlier Budget Draft Ignored City Homeless Programs

Newsom’s January budget draft didn’t include new money for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. That program gives cities and counties money to fight homelessness. Cities rely on it to run shelters and outreach. Lawmakers and Newsom will work on a final budget over the summer. Newsom now says any new money must come with new rules for dealing with encampments.

Supreme Court Ruling Changed the Legal Landscape

Newsom’s call to action followed a big Supreme Court ruling last summer. The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, said cities can ban camping even if no shelter beds exist. That decision overturned earlier rules. Before, cities had to offer shelter before clearing camps. Now, they don’t.

A month later, Newsom ordered state agencies to start clearing their own camps. He told local governments to do the same. Since then, over two dozen cities and counties passed new bans. Others brought back old ones. Some made their laws even stricter.

Cities Enforce Bans in Different Ways

Each city handles encampments differently. Fresno bans sitting, lying, or camping on public land at all times. San Diego only bans camping when shelter beds are available. But it always bans camps near schools, parks, or shelters. Some cities don’t have specific bans but use other laws instead. Police may arrest people for trespassing, urinating in public, or blocking sidewalks.