Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday called for California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments, a move that may embolden San Diego to take tougher steps when it comes to the issue.
“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,” Newsom said in a statement.
“The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.”
The release of the model ordinance to curtail encampments comes amid what is seen widely as an effort by the Democratic governor to enhance his national stature and position himself for a possible run for the White House in 2028.
Newsom’s crackdown on homeless camps could curry favor with more moderate and conservative voters. Last year, he attracted widespread attention for participating in the cleanup of a Los Angeles homeless camp.
The timing could be right. Cities around the state, including in San Diego County, continue to add more permanent housing for the indigent. Despite this, there’s been no easing of homelessness. The 2024 count in the San Diego region identified 10,605 people classified as homeless, a 3% increase over the previous year. Some 6,110 of those were listed as “unsheltered.”
Advocates for the unhoused have long called for moving people into permanent, supportive housing. Newsom said that $3.3 billion is being made available to cities from a state ballot proposition aimed at expanding care for the mentally ill living on the streets and “behavioral health housing.”
Newsom said that since July 2021, more than 16,000 encampments and over 311,873 cubic yards of waste and debris from sites have been cleared. However, one issue with that number is that every time unhoused people are moved from one problem location, another camp appears and the process begins again.
With backing from the courts, cities and counties who enact Newsom’s model ordinance will be able to prohibit people from persistent camping in a single location and not allow sidewalks to be blocked.
The move also would require officials to post notices informing those who will be forced to move of where they can find shelter.
However, San Diego officials say they continue to ramp up housing alternatives for those living on the streets.
Earlier this month, county supervisors voted unanimously to support projects for 300 new units of affordable or supportive housing. Among them is $12.5 million for an 81-unit permanent supportive housing development at 7798 Starling Drive.
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