Newsom Issues Executive Order to Clear Homeless Encampments: Nothing ‘More Urgent’ In California

Screenshot via CBS

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) issued an executive order on Thursday for state agencies to begin clearing homeless encampments across his state.

Newsom has long been accused of allowing California’s homelessness problem to grow into a crisis that has caused alarm in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Newsom released a video clip saying he doesn’t “believe there is anything more urgent or frustrating than addressing the issue of homeless encampments.”

His statement added that “With the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v Johnson, local governments now have the tools and authority to address dangerous encampments and help provide those residing in encampments with the resources they need.”

“There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part,” he added in the statement. The Associate Press noted that “while Newsom cannot order local authorities to act, his administration can apply pressure by withholding money for counties and cities.” Newsom’s statement added:

Governor Newsom’s executive order directs state agencies and departments to adopt humane and dignified policies to urgently address encampments on state property, including by taking necessary and deliberate steps to notify and support the people inhabiting the encampment prior to removal.

Governor Newsom has made record-level investments to address the housing crisis, investing over $24 billion across multiple state agencies and departments, including billions of dollars in funding to assist local jurisdictions in providing services and wrap-around support to people living in encampments. In Fiscal Year 2022-2023, these investments helped lift more than 165,000 people out of homelessness and into interim or permanent housing.

Watch the clip above.