Newsom threatens California cities to clean up homeless problem: "I want to see results!"

“I want to see results,” Newsom said during the news conference. “I don’t want to read about them. I don’t want to see the data."Photo byNick FewingsonUnsplash

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a stern warning to local governments on Thursday: clean up homeless encampments now, or risk losing state funding next year. The governor made the announcement while standing in front of a cleared encampment in Los Angeles, emphasizing his commitment to taking action against cities and counties that fail to adequately address homelessness.

Newsom, who was joined by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as they cleared several encampment sites in the area, made it clear that the state’s patience is running thin. “I want to see results,” Newsom said during the news conference. “I don’t want to read about them. I don’t want to see the data. I want to see it.”

The governor’s remarks signal a significant shift in how the state plans to enforce homelessness policies, with potential cuts to state funding for communities that do not make sufficient progress in moving people out of encampments and into shelters. As California continues to grapple with a growing homelessness crisis, Newsom’s message underscores the urgency of finding effective solutions and holding local governments accountable.