Gov. Newsom helps clear LA homeless camp, issues funding threat

Governor said he would start taking funds away from cities, counties not doing enough

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a stern warning to local governments on Thursday: clean up homeless encampments or risk losing state funding next year.

Speaking at a recently cleared homeless encampment in Los Angeles, Newsom emphasized that cities and counties must take immediate action to move individuals out of encampments and into shelters. The governor, alongside the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), oversaw the clearing of several encampment sites in the area.

“I want to see results,” Newsom stated during a press conference. “I don’t want to read about them or just see data—I want to witness real change.”

This announcement is part of Newsom’s ongoing effort to push local governments into intensifying their efforts to address homelessness. Last month, he directed state agencies to begin clearing encampments on state land and urged local governments to do the same, though he lacks the legal authority to enforce it.

The governor’s directive follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned a lower court ruling, which had previously barred governments from clearing encampments if no shelter beds were available. Newsom’s administration supported the cities’ stance, arguing that past rulings have hindered the state’s ability to tackle the homelessness crisis effectively.

California, which is home to approximately one-third of the nation’s homeless population, faces a significant challenge with thousands of tents and makeshift shelters lining freeways and occupying public spaces.

Under Newsom’s leadership, the state has invested roughly $24 billion in efforts to clean up streets and provide housing. This includes over $3.2 billion in grants allocated to local governments for building shelters, clearing encampments, and connecting homeless individuals to services. However, Newsom indicated that starting in January, these funds would be redirected if sufficient progress is not made.

“This isn’t about criminalization,” Newsom clarified. “What’s criminal is neglecting those who are struggling, suffering, and dying under our watch.”

This isn’t the first time Newsom has threatened to cut funding over inadequate local efforts to address homelessness. In 2022, he warned of withholding $1 billion in homelessness spending due to a lack of progress. Recently, his office reclaimed a $10 million grant from San Diego after the county failed to act swiftly enough on building tiny homes.

While San Francisco’s mayor has taken more aggressive measures in clearing encampments, others, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LA County officials, have expressed concerns about the governor’s approach, arguing it may not be effective. Despite this, Newsom praised Bass for her success in reducing the number of people sleeping outdoors in Los Angeles, directing his criticism primarily at county governments.

The California State Association of Counties, representing 58 counties in the state, declined to comment directly on the governor’s latest announcement. However, a spokesperson referred to a previous statement affirming their commitment to working with the governor and sharing his sense of urgency in addressing homelessness.