After US Supreme Court Backs Camping Ban, California Orders Clearing of Homeless Camps.

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Thursday, July 25th, instructing state agencies to urgently address the issue of homelessness in the state and to dismantle all homeless encampments in California in a safe and humane manner.

This emergency executive order comes in the wake of a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, where a 6-3 vote upheld a ban on camping in public places and determined that enforcing general laws prohibiting homeless encampments by local governments does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” as prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

Newsom’s office stated that the Supreme Court ruling in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case empowers local governments to address the issue of dangerous homeless encampments and access resources to provide necessary assistance to the homeless population. The new executive order issued by the governor aligns with the homeless encampment policies currently being implemented by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Since July 2021, law enforcement agencies have cleared over 11,000 encampments, removing 248,275 cubic yards of debris along state highways. Caltrans prioritizes clearing encampments that pose a threat to the life, health, and safety of community members and issues advance notice to homeless residents at the encampments in collaboration with local agencies.

Therefore, Newsom’s executive order provides guidance for state agencies on how to dismantle thousands of tents and temporary shelters statewide, including notifying homeless residents living in encampments before the implementation. Additionally, the state government will provide a $1 billion “encampment resolution fund” to assist local governments in providing services and support to the homeless population.

“The state government has been working diligently to address our street crisis,” Newsom said in a statement. “There are no more excuses now, everyone should do their part.”

While the governor has issued the executive order, the final decision on dismantling rests with local governments, with the state government able to exert pressure by withholding funds from counties and municipalities.

California has the highest number of homeless individuals in the United States, with the largest percentage of unsheltered homeless people. According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, California had over 160,000 homeless individuals in 2020, showing a trend of continuous annual growth. The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) estimates that by 2023, the number of homeless individuals in California could exceed 180,000.

In Los Angeles County alone, the homeless population is staggering, with visible disorderly tent encampments and shelters throughout downtown Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s annual report released on June 28th, in 2024, the county has 75,312 homeless individuals, with the city of Los Angeles alone accounting for 45,252.

California spends a significant amount of funds annually to address the homeless issue, yet the number of homeless individuals continues to rise, leading residents of all political affiliations to believe that California’s homeless problem is spiraling out of control. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year alone, the state government allocated approximately $7.2 billion in budget to 30 projects related to homelessness, with Newsom investing over $24 billion to support homeless and housing reform programs.

On Thursday, Newsom took to social media to emphasize that local governments should no longer find excuses to delay action but should swiftly utilize the funds and resources provided by the state government to complete the dismantling of homeless encampments.