Stockton leaders reacts to Newsom executive order to clear homeless encampments
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Gov. Gavin Newsom has given to order to state officials to clear thousands of homeless encampments across California.
Newsom's order, released on Thursday, is a result of a recent Supreme Court decision that gave local and state governments more latitude to remove people experiencing homelessness from their streets. While he can't force cities and counties to take down homeless encampments he is advising local authorities on the best way to take action.
“There are no longer any excuses,” Newsom said in a video posted on X Thursday. "A billion dollars this state has invested to support communities to clean up these encampments."
Local governments now have the tools they need to address the decades-long issue of homelessness.
Today, we are issuing an executive order that directs state agencies & urges locals to address encampments while connecting those living in them to housing & supportive services. pic.twitter.com/z9dYwAct5w— California Governor (@CAgovernor) July 25, 2024
The new homelessness directive orders state agencies, such as Caltrans, California State Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to first target encampments that pose a health and safety risk, The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported.
The agencies would give 48 to 72 hours of advance notice to people in the encampments while working with local homeless organizations to help those experiencing homelessness. Personal property collected at each site will be bagged, tagged, and stored for at least 60 days, according to a proclamation issued Thursday by the governor's office, The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported.
However, the state cannot legally force cities to adopt the policy.
Read more: Stockton to weigh stricter enforcement of city's homelessness laws
California cities such as Lancaster, Fresno, Chico, Stockton and Folsom, are considering or already developing new homelessness policies, The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported.
Stockton leaders react
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln shared his thoughts in a statement released via email Thursday morning.
"The recent executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom to dismantle homeless encampments in California marks a critical moment for our state and the city of Stockton. It is time to address the dangerous encampments that pose significant risks to both the individuals living in them and the broader community," Lincoln stated. "We must move urgently to ensure public safety while providing the necessary support and assistance to those in need.
Lincoln added that the city has begun and will continue taking action to "clearing unsafe encampments from our streets."
"In the past four years, Stockton has built 10 emergency shelter projects, nine permanent supportive housing projects, four affordable housing projects, and launched innovative behavioral health crisis intervention programs," Lincoln added.
On Aug. 27 from 8 a.m. to noon, the city will hold a public study session "to discuss policy, legislative, and program solutions surrounding the enforcement of camping ordinances in Stockton."
Supervisors Chairman Miguel Villapudua also released a statement in response to Newsom's homeless encampments executive order.
“Newsom’s executive order is welcome news and another important step, as it will ensure that local efforts to address encampments will be supported by his administration and State agencies," Villapudua stated. "The homeless encampments have expanded over time due in large part to the State and local governments’ inability to act, based on previous restrictions from the courts."
Villapudua said that the county is "well positioned" to integrate the executive order with the board's SJCARES initiative.
The initiative aims to rapidly connect those unhoused with supportive services, he said.
"We will be able to rely on the state as a partner in encouraging, with consequences and safe boundaries, those among us who are struggling with addiction and mental health crisis to seek and accept help," Villapudua stated.
This is a developing story. Check back later for more developments.
California Trending News Editor James Ward, Palms Spring Desert Sun contributed to this report.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton leaders reacts to homeless encampments order
