SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging local governments across California to step up efforts to clear homeless encampments, saying he wants to see more results from those hoping to receive state funds next year.
“This is a sincerely held belief that we need local government to step up. This is a crisis. Act like it,” said Newsom to a gathering of reporters in Los Angeles. “If we don’t see specific results in the next few months and a sense of urgency, we’ll redirect the funds to parts of the state that can prove great results.”
Newsom picked up trash and debris with Caltrans crews Thursday at several sites throughout Los Angeles. This comes two weeks after his executive order directing state agencies to move urgently to clear encampments on state land. Now he is asking cities and counties to do the same.
“I’m going to redirect the money, it’s not complicated and I’m going to send it to people who actually want to get the job done, that’s it,” said Governor Newsom.
Since he took office in 2019, the State of California has invested more than $27 billion dollars to address homelessness. Locally, the County of San Diego told CBS 8 they were awarded two separate grants from the state last year totaling more than $22 million to address riverbed encampments, and the work is ongoing.
“We’ve run into a point in our society where homelessness has become acceptable. No, nobody should be out there living like that,” said Mayor of National City, Ron Morrison. “The problem is we’re finding out that at least 90% of the homeless people we approach, they won’t accept any help."
Morrison told CBS 8 he expects an encampment ban to come before his city council in the coming weeks, especially now that a recent Supreme Court ruling made it easier to enforce.
San Diego Rescue Mission opened a newly renovated emergency shelter on Euclid Avenue in June with 162 beds. Mayor Morrison insisted they're doing everything they can to address the issue, but told CBS 8 that 90% of the encampments in National City are alongside freeways.
“We have three major freeways going through our 7.2 square miles, that’s a lot of state property, and the homeless know that. They know they can be there, and they can be safe because the state wouldn’t touch them," said Morrison. "Well, now that we got the edict from the Governor, hopefully they’ll start their process.”
CBS 8 reached out to Caltrans to see if they’re stepping up efforts in light of the Governor’s executive order, and they told CBS 8, “Caltrans will continue to follow its guidelines and the Governor’s Office directives regarding encampment removals on the state right-of-way that it oversees.”
CBS 8 reached out to San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria's Office, and they responded with the following statement,
“The City of San Diego has led the way in clearing encampments and addressing homelessness through efforts like our Unsafe Camping Ordinance and over 70% expansion of homeless shelter capacity. I agree with the Governor: more urgent action is necessary to keep getting people off the street, which is precisely why I have asked the City Council to approve more homeless shelters like Hope @ Vine. I will remain aggressive in tackling homelessness by opening more homeless shelters and clearing encampments as the status quo on the streets cannot continue.”
Chairwoman Nora Vargas of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors sent CBS 8 the following comments,
"Our multi-pronged approach—building more housing, addressing poverty, and focusing on behavioral health—is making a difference, but we can't do it alone. We need resources, collaboration at all levels of government, and, most importantly, to listen to the communities directly impacted. We’ve rolled up our sleeves as a county, and we are committed to continuing this critical work."
WATCH RELATED: State and local leaders respond to Governor Newsom's Executive Order to clear homeless encampments