Newsom Orders State Officials to Remove Homeless Encampments

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) on Thursday issued an executive order directing state agencies and encouraging local governments to remove homeless encampments in California’s cities.

For Context: Previous camp-clearing attempts by California officials were blocked by courts, but a recent Supreme Court ruling affirmed the right of municipalities to move people who are sleeping outside.

The Official Line: Newsom’s office said in a release that officials should “urgently address homeless encampments while respecting the dignity and well-being of all Californians.” The release expressed concern for the wellbeing of the homeless, adding that officials should “help provide those residing in encampments with the resources they need.”

How Local Media Covered It: Los Angeles Times (Lean Left bias) wrote that the order “raised alarm among homeless advocates,” featuring the perspectives of both local officials and homeless advocates. San Francisco Chronicle (Left) said the impending nomination of Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate for president put California’s homelessness problems “under the microscope nationally.” CalMatters (Center) called Newsom’s order a “show of force” and wrote that the Supreme Court decision “upended six years of protections” for the homeless.

How National Media Covered It: National outlets quoted mainly elected officials in California and beyond, most in support of the order; NBC News (Lean Left) quoted a social services provider critiquing the order as ineffective without an increase in housing supply. National Review (Lean Right) wrote that the order represents a break from “accommodative homelessness policies” adopted by “progressive state governments.”