Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom, dressed casually in blue jeans and a t-shirt, took part in a well-publicized cleanup of a messy homeless encampment in Los Angeles. He called homelessness the biggest scar on California’s reputation.
This issue has become a focal point in former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris, who is from California. For Newsom, the homelessness crisis is a major challenge to his governorship, which he is trying to address by blaming local officials for slow progress.
At a media event on Thursday, documented by Newsom’s personal photographer, he emphasized his commitment to solving the problem and criticized local officials for not making enough progress. He stated, “I’m here on behalf of 40 million Californians who are fed up. I want to see results.
Newsom highlighted a recent Supreme Court decision that makes it easier to clear encampments and said, We’re done with excuses. He also threatened to redirect state funding for homelessness programs if he does not see improvements.
Local officials argue that these threats hinder their efforts to create permanent facilities and services. They claim that most state funds come as one-year grants without long-term guarantees, making it difficult to sustain ongoing programs. Carolyn Coleman, CEO of the League of California Cities, criticized Newsom’s approach, saying, Failing to release state funding will not put roofs over people’s heads or provide needed services.
Additionally, Newsom’s administration has faced criticism for inefficiency. State Auditor Grant Parks recently criticized the Interagency Council on Homelessness for failing to improve coordination and reporting since a previous audit.
Clearing encampments, as Newsom did recently, is the simplest part of the problem. The real challenge is where residents go afterward. Tré Watson, a homeless resident in Santa Cruz, expressed frustration about having nowhere to go as encampments are cleared.
In Sacramento, a similar issue is unfolding. For two years, about 50 people lived in city-issued trailers at a site called Camp Resolution. The lease expired this month, and the city wants to close the camp, calling it a failed experiment due to unsanitary conditions. Lawyers representing the residents are trying to block the closure, but a judge has refused to intervene. City officials say residents have rejected relocation or housing options.
It’s likely that encampments will still be visible when Newsom’s term ends in 29 months. Whether they will remain a part of his legacy or if he will shift responsibility to others remains to be seen.