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The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has reportedly issued an executive order to remove encampments for unhoused individuals in California.
According to CNN, Governor Newsom issued the executive order on Thursday, July 25. The outlet reports that the legislation calls on “state officials to begin taking down homeless encampments.”
“This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them — and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same,” Newson reportedly explained. “There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”
The outlet reports that as of last month, the amount of unhoused people within Los Angeles sits around 45,253. Meanwhile, the number of unhoused people in Los Angeles County is around 75,312. In total, the outlet alleges that the state “has the largest homeless population.”
Fox 35 Orlando reports that despite Newson’s order, “the decision to remove the encampments will be up to local authorities.” The outlet adds that Newsom cannot force local authorities to carry out his order. However, he and his administration “can apply pressure by withholding money [from] counties and cities.”
According to CNN, Parisa Safarzadeh, a spokesperson for the mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, has alleged that efforts to remove encampments in the area have already been well on their way.
“Our city encampment teams and street outreach staff have been going out every day to bring people indoors, and to clean and clear encampments,” Safarzadeh reportedly told the outlet. “This is why we are seeing a five-year low in the City’s tent count on our streets.”
Furthermore, the outlet notes that encampment “cleanup” efforts have also been launched in the Venice, Hollywood, and Skid Row areas of Los Angeles. However, CNN adds that those efforts saw “temporary declines” in the level of unhoused individuals before those numbers resurged.
California isn’t the only state that has issued legislation regarding unhoused individuals. As The Shade Room previously reported, in March, a bill was sent to Governor Ron DeSantis with the initiative of banning unhoused people from sleeping on public property.
Meanwhile, in June, the Supreme Court ruled that unhoused individuals in Ohio can now be ticketed for sleeping outside, per CNN.
