California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking a hard public stance on homelessness, telling cities across the state that it’s time to act. During a live press conference shared by FOX 11 Los Angeles, Newsom made his message clear: “It is time to take back the streets.” The governor emphasized that the state is stepping up with resources, legal clarity, and now a model ordinance that cities can use to ban homeless encampments. “It’s time, I think, to just end the excuses,” he said firmly.
This latest push comes after years of tension between state and local governments over how to handle California’s massive homelessness crisis. With over 187,000 people living without shelter, the state is home to the largest unhoused population in the country. Newsom’s comments reflect growing frustration among residents and government officials alike who feel current policies are falling short.
The Model Ordinance: What It Includes
The centerpiece of Newsom’s new plan is a “model ordinance” that local governments are encouraged to adopt. According to Courthouse News Service’s Hillel Aron, the proposed ordinance includes bans on “persistent camping in one location” and encampments that block sidewalks or prevent public passage. It also mandates that cities must provide notice and offer shelter before clearing any camps.
Importantly, the ordinance avoids criminalizing homelessness. It specifically states that people should not be punished for sleeping outdoors if they have no other option. This language reflects a careful balance between compassion and enforcement, and Newsom has described it as a “balanced approach.” It’s not about arresting people for being poor, he says – it’s about making communities livable again.
Enforcement Without Mandate – For Now
As KTLA 5 reporter Lauren Lyster noted in her live report from LA City Hall, this ordinance is not a mandate. Cities are not required to adopt it – at least not yet. But Newsom made it clear during his press conference that the time for inaction is over. “We want to see how quickly communities that have not adopted a local ordinance adopt it,” he said, adding that local officials should expect expectations to rise.
Lyster also highlighted that Newsom is pairing this ordinance with a significant funding announcement: $3.3 billion from Proposition 1. These funds will be used to build behavioral health housing and offer treatment for the state’s most vulnerable. That money will help create more than 5,000 residential treatment beds and over 21,800 outpatient treatment spots.
Supreme Court Green Light Changes the Game
One of the biggest hurdles in the past was the legal uncertainty around public camping bans. As Aron explained in Courthouse News, several federal court rulings had blocked cities from banning encampments, especially when shelter beds were unavailable. But that changed in 2024 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities could enforce public camping bans regardless of shelter availability.
Newsom is now urging local leaders to make use of that decision. He called on them to “use the authority of a Supreme Court decision” to address encampments that are unsafe or unhygienic. This ruling, along with state resources, sets the stage for a new level of enforcement – one that doesn’t rely on waiting for perfect conditions.
Newsom Pushes Local Leaders to Step Up
Throughout the press conference, Newsom returned to the theme of accountability. He criticized local governments that have failed to take meaningful steps, specifically calling out Tulare County and other unnamed municipalities. “Some are nowhere to be found,” he said. “We simply cannot allow tents and structures to block sidewalks and parks. It cannot be a way of life.”
He emphasized that cities need to adopt the state’s model or create their own with similar standards. “We’ve cleaned up 16,000 encampments at the state level – that’s unprecedented,” Newsom said. “But we have to do more.”
Inspiration From San Jose
When asked by reporters about other local efforts, Newsom praised the city of San Jose and Mayor Matt Mahan. As covered in the FOX 11 press conference transcript, Newsom said the model ordinance drew inspiration from cities like San Jose, which have already taken steps to limit encampments and offer shelter alternatives.
Mayor Mahan had recently proposed compelling people into shelter, and Newsom acknowledged that while controversial, such efforts are gaining popularity among voters. “I applaud any mayor for their willingness to lean in,” Newsom said, adding that best practices are being shared across cities.
New Rules Tied to State Funding
One of the most strategic elements of this announcement is how Newsom is connecting funding to enforcement. During the press conference, he hinted that cities failing to act could face limitations in future state grants. KTLA’s Lauren Lyster noted that the model ordinance may soon be attached to Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HAP) funding as a condition.
This is more than just advice – it’s pressure. The state is making it increasingly difficult for cities to accept money while ignoring encampment issues. “It’s an expression of deeper clarity,” Newsom said, “between local government that is responsible for delivering results and the state that’s done unprecedented work to have your back.”
Support From Local Officials
Not all city leaders are resistant. In KTLA’s report, LA City Councilmember Traci Park supported the governor’s direction. Representing Venice and Westside neighborhoods, Park said she plans to introduce legislation to bring the model ordinance to Los Angeles. “This is a common-sense and balanced approach to managing the madness,” she said. “After services and shelter have been offered, the city can’t keep taking no for an answer.”
Park highlighted one provision she supports: a three-day limit on camping in public spaces once shelter is offered. It reflects a growing belief that enforcement must follow outreach, especially when the safety and hygiene of public areas are at stake.
Homelessness Still Growing
While progress has been made, homelessness in California remains a massive challenge. According to Courthouse News Service, the number of unhoused residents continues to climb, even with all the funding and initiatives. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco were slow to act during the pandemic, and the results are visible today in the spread of encampments.
Newsom admitted that 45% of California’s homeless population remains unsheltered. That number is “basically flat,” he said, “but that’s not good enough.” His latest move is an effort to move the needle after years of frustration.
A Human Crisis, Not Just a Policy Issue
Newsom stressed that this isn’t just about stats or streets – it’s about people. “It is not human to step over people on sidewalks,” he said during his FOX 11 conference. “It is not human to allow people to live for years in encampments.” He called for both moral and formal leadership, saying California’s policies must reflect compassion as well as action.
In his view, allowing the status quo to continue is a failure of leadership and empathy. “We’re trying to humanize mental health, not criminalize it,” he added.
A Crossroads Moment for California
From my perspective, this is one of the boldest moves we’ve seen from a state governor on homelessness in years. Newsom is clearly tired of playing nice with cities that dodge responsibility, and the pairing of funds with expectations could finally force some real change. It’s fascinating to see a state try to lead from both the top down and the bottom up – offering help, legal tools, and now public pressure.
What stands out most is how he’s trying to walk a tightrope: pushing for tough enforcement without criminalizing people for being poor. Whether cities respond remains to be seen, but this announcement definitely raises the stakes.
The Real Test Starts Now
Newsom closed his remarks by saying, “There are no more excuses.” With billions in funding, legal backing from the Supreme Court, and a public deeply frustrated by inaction, the real test will be whether cities follow through. If they don’t, they could face both political and financial consequences.
And for the people living in tents, cars, and shelters, it’s not just about ordinances or policy – it’s about whether real help is finally coming.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.
