California Homeless Encampment Ban: Gov. Newsom Urges Cities to Act

California homeless encampment ban

Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday called on cities throughout California to prohibit homeless encampments. He introduced a model policy intended for local governments to follow, though he did not make the adoption of the policy a requirement for receiving state funding.

Newsom, who is widely speculated to be preparing for a 2028 presidential bid, is adopting a firmer stance on homelessness. This shift comes amid growing public support for stricter enforcement and a Supreme Court decision from a year ago that gave cities more authority to regulate encampments.

The model ordinance Newsom unveiled is similar to the policy enacted by San Diego nearly two years ago. This latest move follows a July executive order that directed state agencies to clear encampments and encouraged cities to take similar action.

In a press conference, Newsom did not confirm that cities declining to implement the ordinance would lose access to discretionary state funds for homelessness. However, he described the policy as a “preview of expectations moving forward.” He stated that he is now making public what had previously been communicated privately to city leaders. “Tents and encampments, it simply cannot continue,” he said. “It’s not human to let the status quo continue.”

In May 2023, downtown San Diego had 2,104 homeless individuals. Two months later, the city enacted a sweeping encampment ban. By the most recent count, that number had dropped to 902, according to the Downtown Partnership.

Many of the displaced encampments have since moved to land managed by Caltrans, the state’s transportation agency. One such camp, located near downtown and the city’s designated safe camping area, has become a notable example.

The state’s limited response to clearing these camps prompted San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) to introduce SB 569. The bill aims to compel state agencies to clear encampments on their own properties. “The state needs to do better in preventing and removing encampments from land that the state has control over,” Blakespear said in a statement.

In his State of the City address earlier this year, Mayor Gloria noted that the city receives around 300 monthly complaints about encampments on state property. He urged Caltrans to act or allow the city to intervene. On Monday, rather than criticize Newsom’s announcement, Gloria voiced support, saying it reflects San Diego’s approach that combines enforcement with shelter and supportive services to move individuals off the streets and into care.

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