Gov. Newsom pushes cities to ban homeless camps
Gov Gavin Newsom on Monday called for California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments a move that may embolden San Diego to take tougher approaches when it comes to the issue There s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets Newsom stated in a comment The time for inaction is over There are no more excuses The release of the model ordinance to curtail encampments comes amid what is seen widely as an effort by the Democratic governor to enhance his national stature and position himself for a realizable run for the White House in Newsom s crackdown on homeless camps could curry favor with more moderate and conservative voters Last year he attracted widespread attention for participating in the cleanup of a Los Angeles homeless camp The timing could be right Cities around the state including in San Diego County continue to add more permanent housing for the indigent Despite this there s been no easing of homelessness The count in the San Diego region identified people classified as homeless a increase over the previous year Particular of those were listed as unsheltered Advocates for the unhoused have long called for moving people into permanent supportive housing Newsom disclosed that billion is being made available to cities from a state ballot proposition aimed at expanding care for the mentally ill living on the streets and behavioral healthcare housing Newsom announced that since July more than encampments and over cubic yards of waste and debris from sites have been cleared However one issue with that number is that every time unhoused people are moved from one issue location another camp appears and the process begins again With backing from the courts cities and counties who enact Newsom s model ordinance will be able to prohibit people from persistent camping in a single location and not allow sidewalks to be blocked The move also would require authorities to post notices informing those who will be forced to move of where they can find shelter However San Diego authorities say they continue to ramp up housing alternatives for those living on the streets Earlier this month county supervisors voted unanimously to sponsorship projects for new units of affordable or supportive housing Among them is million for an -unit permanent supportive housing expansion at Starling Drive
