Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday urged California local governments to escalate the state’s efforts to ban increasing intermediary camps on sidewalks and parks, the most visible sign of a crisis for people living on the streets.
The announcement of new model ordinances for counties, cities and towns is tied to the release of voter-approved funds.
The goal is to help local governments “set rules on camps and establish effective enforcement procedures” that prioritize shelters and services.
“The camp poses serious public safety risks and exposes the camp people to an increased risk of sexual violence, criminal activity, property damage and intrusion and unsanitary conditions,” the news release said.
In 2024, voters approved measures that would impose strict requirements on the county to spend on housing and drug treatment programs to tackle the homelessness crisis. This was a signature proposal from Newsom, who campaigned for the action to pass.
Under the measures, the county will need to spend about two-thirds of the money from the voter-approved tax enacted in 2004 for billionaires on housing and programs for homeless people with serious mental illness and substance abuse issues.
The breakdown of the RV camp at Redondo Beach Boulevard near Main Street took an entire day. Karma Dickerson reports NBC News on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 at 4pm.
Key provisions in the Model Ordinance, released Monday, include a ban on “permanent camping” at one location, a ban on camps blocking sidewalks, and the requirement that local officials make any reasonable efforts to provide notice and identify and provide shelter before liquidating the camp.
The state accounts for almost a third of the US homeless population. Over 187,000 Californians need housing.
With tents lined up the streets, disrupting businesses in cities and towns throughout the state, homelessness has become one of California’s most cumbersome issues, and if he is running for a national office, he can turn his dog into a dog.
The governor is also calling for laws that will make treatment easier for people with behavioral health issues.
A 2024 state audit found that California spent $24 billion in the last five years tackling homelessness, but did not consistently track whether huge public funding spending actually improved the situation.
State auditor reports that while it was spent on more than 30 homelessness and housing programs in the 2018-2023 fiscal year, California doesn’t have the reliable data needed to fully understand why issues didn’t improve in many cities.
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