San Diego mayor reacts to governor’s order on homeless encampments

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria released a statement Thursday after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order impacting California’s homeless population.

The governor officially directed state agencies to remove homeless encampments on state land across California. The order urges local governments to adopt similar protocols in their jurisdictions.

The executive order comes about a month after a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces. Here at home in San Diego, the court’s ruling influenced the legality of the city’s sidewalk camping ban , which police started to enforce in July of last year.

Regarding the Supreme Court’s decision, Mayor Gloria previously stated, “This ruling brings much-needed clarity to how the city can enforce our laws against unsafe encampments; however, it will not change our strategy on homelessness.”

While responding to the governor’s executive order regarding the issue Thursday, San Diego’s mayor expressed similar sentiments. He released the following statement:

“California’s Big City Mayors welcome the Governor’s renewed direction and sense of urgency to address homelessness with tangible and meaningful action. The state’s large cities have been leading on resolving unsafe and unsanitary encampments while simultaneously ensuring that vulnerable unsheltered residents have options available to them to move off the streets, into care and on a path to housing and better quality of life.

“All of us – mayors, other local elected officials, state leaders and housed community members – must be united in acting with purpose to create more shelter options and housing for those in need.”

Meanwhile, plans for a proposed mega shelter and another site for the unhoused appear to be moving forward in San Diego, despite growing criticism from some in the surrounding communities .

What’s next for the homeless encampments scattered along the sides of freeways, shopping centers, public parks and parking lots remains to be seen. Under Newsom’s order, however, state agencies would be required to prioritize clearing encampments that pose safety risks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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