Homeless Advocates In San Jose Say Governor Newsom's Encampment Plan Is Political Posturing

CBS Bay Area

May 13, 2025

The problem of homelessness has been an issue that has plagued Governor Newsom's administration for years. So, on Monday, he offered help to get local governments on the same page when it comes to managing encampments. But some say it may be intended to help his political ambitions, as well.

Newsom's "help" comes in the form of a sample ordinance, offered as a template for cities to adopt to deal with encampments. The announcement spells out the problems with the camps, from public safety issues to health dangers to blight, and concludes with: "Large encampments and those with semi-permanent structures exacerbate the perpetuate these harms. Every local government must have a plan to address them." That seems to be the point of the order...to get every city on board with the effort.

"We have to call out those that aren't even engaging in this conversation and somehow think it's someone else's responsibility," Newsom said, "not just on homelessness, but on housing, as well."

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