Gavin Newsom issues order for removal of homeless encampments in California

Executive order gives guidance on how to remove tents and says decision for removal remains up to local authorities

The California governor, Gavin Newsom, issued an executive order on Thursday calling for the removal of homeless encampments across the state.

The policy calls for shutdowns of encampments on state property and urges local governments to follow suit. The order cites a controversial US supreme court decision in June saying unhoused people sleeping outside can be ticketed and jailed even when there is no shelter available. The ruling was the most consequential on homelessness in the US in decades and sparked widespread concern from advocates for the unhoused, who argued that criminalization exacerbates the crisis, making it harder for people to get the help they need.