California's Governor ordered resolution of homeless camps
California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered the dismantling of homeless camps in the US state. "The state has been working hard to address this crisis on our streets," Newsom declared. "There's simply no more excuses. It's time for everyone to pitch in." Newsom issued an order to California agencies to "address dangerous camps and at the same time support and help the people living there."
Newsom's order came a month after the US Supreme Court ruled on laws that ban homeless camping. California has had a long-standing problem with homelessness: About one-third of all homeless people in the US live in the West Coast state, in part due to the lack of affordable housing.
However, local agencies are not obligated to follow the governor's example. Democrats in California are divided on this issue.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed supports the tough approach to homelessness. She recently stated that the northern California city would be "very aggressive and determined in the relocation of encampments" starting in August.
On the other hand, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the Supreme Court's decision and declared, "this allows the criminalization of people who sleep in the streets when they have no other safe place to go." Los Angeles has the largest number of homeless people in California. Bass' efforts to provide more housing for the affected have recently resulted in a 10.4% decrease in those sleeping in the streets.
Governor Newsom's order to dismantle homeless camps in California is aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis on the streets, as he stated, "There's simply no more excuses." However, it's important to note that local agencies are not mandatory to follow this example. Stræen, a Californian, expressed concern about the potential lack of support for the homeless individuals displaced by the camp dismantling, suggesting the need for a comprehensive solution.
