California Says Goodbye to Homeless Encampments

Not enough shelters, beds, and people who care

Homeless Encampment in California. Soon to be destroyed due to a new executive order from Gov. Newsom.Photo byPolitico.com

California's Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, passed an executive order on Thursday asking on state officials to begin striking homeless encampments in their area. This comes after a US Supreme Court decision saying local authorities had the right to get rid of homeless campers in their city and even ticket them.

Out of all 50 states, California has the most homeless people in America. This situation is only worsening due to the lack of affordable housing especially in the major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Some city officials in California say they are ready to begin removing the homeless out of the encampments, however, the problem will remain if there is nowhere for them to go.

San Francisco officials say the shelters are full and no more beds can be found. Regardless, research indicates that clearing encampments may be of limited value anyway.

In a recent study by the RAND Corporation, of three Los Angeles encampments, the dismantling of them may have cleaned up the area for a few months but seemed to have little or no long-term effect on a city’s homeless population.

There are many issues facing the homeless other than where to sleep - from their personal safety to health care. Now, with the way the law reads, if they are caught sleeping or camping outside they can be fined or even incarcerated.

“Cities do have an obligation to develop housing and shelter solutions in tandem with support services provided by County government,” LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. “This formula, which is largely based on partnerships, is how we can deliver permanent results. No single entity can achieve that.”

Some people believe the government is trying to put the problem behind bars instead of fixing the real issues.

Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the parent organization of the Housing is a Human Right initiative, blamed Newsom of “criminalizing poverty” and “doubling down on failed policies.”

“A punch in the gut!” Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, called Newsom’s executive order.

Friedenbach also said that there are already thousands of people on a waitlist for housing, and all shelter beds in San Francisco are already full. “They want to basically crack down on folks who have no other choice,” she said.

Researchers looked at encampment cleanups in Venice, Hollywood and Skid Row in Los Angeles. According to their study they observed temporary declines in the population of the unsheltered. Unfortunately, it lasted two to three months on average before returning to previous levels.

A homeless encampment near the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge toll plaza preparing for a scheduled sweep on July 23Photo byStephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

Although, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Newsom “rightfully points out that local government remains at the helm of homeless encampment removals.”

“Our city encampment teams and street outreach staff have been going out every day to bring people indoors, and to clean and clear encampments,” spokesperson Parisa Safarzadeh told CNN in a statement. “This is why we are seeing a five year low in the City’s tent count on our streets.”

Housing is a Human Right (HHR) organization is trying to find solutions to this increasing delima and not to simply push the homeless from town to town or even worse, to put them in jail.

Transferring the problem is not a viable answer to the growing concerns about what to do with the homeless, says the HHR.

Their mission is to fight for a future where housing affordability isn't a privilege but a right accessible to all, irrespective of their background or economic status.

They say they are aware of the intricate connection between housing and overall well-being and strive to create a society where this understanding is reflected in every housing policy and practice.

Gov. Newsom has already put billions of dollars into the homeless problem in California. Even though it may seem mean of him to enact this sweeping executive order, wiping out homes of thousands of homeless people, he is also thinking of California's other residents.

There are many areas in these big cities in California that are beginning to appear as if they are located in a third world country. Tax paying citizens are saying they have had enough.

However, removing of camps may just be an infantile evasion instead of a real fix.

H. Mikel FeilenPhoto bySuzette Feilen

Author's Opinion:

Tough bind for the country, not just California. Hopefully, the novel ideas from groups like the HHR will be taken seriously by our leaders.

The cost of living, housing, and utilities are outrageous. Instead of being in a capitalistic society, I am seeing it more as a survivalistic government. No wonder the number of homeless people are increasing yearly.

I find it surprising that we cannot find an answer to this problem. It seems to me that if we have enough space for the plethora of golf courses strewn across the USA, there should be enough space to put up affordiable and decent housing for the people in our country.

Survive if you can but don't ask the US for any help. (unless you're a billionaire) - The latest constitutional ammendment

We, the people, deserve the best this country has to offer because we've earned it!

References:

CNN News - https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/25/us/gavin-newsom-executive-order-ho

Housing is a Human Right - HHR - Home - Housing Is A Human Right

Rand Research Center - RAND Center on Housing and Homelessness | RAND

Peace, Love, and Unconditional Happiness!

I'm Done!Photo byH. Mikel Feilen