California Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order directing state officials to remove homeless camps across California “with urgency and dignity.” The order follows the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, which found that laws that punish homeless people for sleeping outdoors do not violate the Eighth Amendment.
Newsom said the executive order provides direction to state agencies and guidance to local governments addressing the homeless camping crisis.
This Executive Order directs state agencies to act urgently to address unsafe encampments and provide support and assistance to the people who live there, and directs cities and counties to do the same. The state has worked hard to address this crisis on our streets. There are no more excuses. Now is the time for everyone to do their part.
Newsom posted on X that local governments now have the capacity to deal with encampments.