California Governor Releases Guidelines for Clearing Homeless Encampments

Gov. Gavin Newsom created a model ordinance for cities and counties to adopt ‘without delay.’

A man stands in front of a homeless encampment, with the Hollywood sign in the background, in Los Angeles on Sept. 23, 2019. Mario Tama/Getty Images

California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a model ordinance for cities and counties to address homeless camps and called on local officials to adopt and implement its policies “without delay,” the governor announced on May 12.

The policies are backed by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2024 that found local jurisdictions can legally ban homeless encampments.