California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on August 29th the establishment of a statewide task force to clear homeless encampments from public streets and provide housing, shelters, and supportive services for those affected.
According to the governor’s office, the “SAFE Task Force” will coordinate multiple state agencies to focus on clearing encampments in the top 10 cities in California within the next 30 days. Key locations include Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach, Anaheim, Oakland, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, and Fresno.
This latest announcement follows Newsom’s executive order in July 2024 to clear homeless encampments and recent legislation submitted to local governments. Prior to this, several communities in the state have reported a decrease in the homeless population on the streets. Participating agencies include:
– California Office of Emergency Services, responsible for logistics and resource deployment;
– Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, responsible for assisting the homeless with housing and support resources;
– California Highway Patrol (CHP), responsible for public safety and preventing encampment rebuilds;
– And California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), responsible for actual encampment clearings.
According to the governor’s office data, since July 2021, Caltrans has cleared over 18,000 encampments along state roads, collecting approximately 334,440 cubic yards of trash and waste, equivalent to filling 11,950 garbage trucks.
Newsom’s broader strategy includes streamlining housing construction processes, funding shelters and support services, strengthening local government responsibilities, updating guardianship laws, and establishing a new “CARE” mechanism to address homeless individuals’ mental health issues.
The governor had previously submitted an Amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm states’ and localities’ authority to clear encampments and issue executive orders to carry out clearances in a humane manner with sufficient notice and support.