Homeless Encampments In CA's 10 Largest Cities To Be Cleared In 30 Days: Newsom

LOS ANGELES, CA — A new statewide task force will clear homeless encampments in California's largest cities, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday.

The task force will also work to provide services to the unhoused currently living in the encampments, he added. The announcement marks a dramatic shift in the Golden State's approach to homeless encampments in the wake of a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that upheld local laws banning camping on public property. Prior to that, a lower court ruling, largely prompted many communities to refrain from dismantling encampments for years.

The ten cities targeted include: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose, Long Beach, Anaheim, Bakersfield, and Fresno. Over the next 30 days, the task force will "clear highly visible and unsafe encampments on state property" — largely along highways — the governor's office announced.

The State Action for Facilitation on Encampments, or SAFE Task Force, will coordinate expertise and programs across state agencies to address encampments. The goal is to work with local governments to move people from the streets into temporary shelter and ultimately permanent housing, according to the governor's office.

"California has put in place a strong, comprehensive strategy for fighting the national homelessness and housing crises -- and is outperforming the nation as a result in turning this issue around," Newsom said in a statement.

"No one should live in a dangerous or unsanitary encampment, and we will continue our ongoing work to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home," he added.

According to state officials, California is already moving in the right direction after years as the nation's cautionary tale of the homeless crisis.

Between 2014 and 2019, homelessness in California rose by approximately 37,000 people, mostly in Los Angeles County. Then in 2024, while homelessness increased nationally by more 18 percent, California limited its overall increase to just 3perscent — a lower rate than in 40 other state, according to the governor's office.

The governor's office sited several cities that have seen the most progress in reducing homelessness in the last year:

• Los Angeles County (-9.5 percent unsheltered homelessness)
• Los Angeles City (-7.9 percent unsheltered homelessness)
• San Diego (-6.6 percent in total homelessness)
• San Diego City (-13.5 percent total homelessness)
• Riverside County CoC (-19 percent unsheltered homelessness)
• San Bernardino County CoC (-14.2 percent unsheltered homelessness)
• Sonoma CoC (-22.6 percent total homelessness)
• Contra Costa County CoC (-25.5 percent total homelessness)
• Ventura County CoC (-15.6 percent total homelessness)
• Watsonville/Santa Cruz City & County CoC (-20.4 percent total homelessness)
• Bakersfield / Kern County CoC (-2.3 percent total homelessness)
• Kings County (-26.7 percent total homelessness)
• Tulare County (-7.1 percent total homelessness)

Newsom has issued multiple directives aimed at addressing encampments and holding local governments accountable.

In 2024, following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which upheld local laws banning camping on public property, Newsom signed an executive order to clear encampments using a so-called "state-tested model."

The governor previously said he would rescind state funding for local municipalities that do not remove homeless encampments. Using an online tool, accountability.ca.gov, residents can comb through data points to track progress on homelessness, housing and behavior health.

Meanwhile, California voters approved Proposition 1 in March 2024, authorizing $6.4 billion in bonds to expand mental health and addiction services, build permanent supportive housing and help homeless veterans.

Newsom also launched the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court program, designed to place people with untreated schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses into housing and treatment. Initially expected to start in July 2022, CARE Court launched in October 2023 in seven counties after concerns about the timeline to create a new legal structure.

The SAFE Task Force is expected to implement and advance these initiatives with the following agencies:

-- California Office of Emergency will be responsible for logistical coordination and procurement;

-- Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency will oversee housing and homeless grants;

-- California Interagency Council on Homelessness will offer guidance to local governments, coordinate supportive services, and facilitate cooperation with local agencies;

-- California Health and Human Services will support and monitor locally-provided health care and behavior health support, as well as treatments funded by Prop 1;

-- California Highway Patrol will provide support during encampment operations and monitor cleared areas; and

-- California State Transportation Agency will be directly responsible for clearing encampments located on state rights-of-ways.

According to Newsom's office, this week Caltrans reached an agreement with San Francisco that improves coordination with addressing encampments on state right-of-ways.

City News Service contributed to this report.