Official counts from the City of San Francisco, local news reports

Newsom Orders Aggressive Sweeps of Homeless Encampments in San Francisco

Jul 31, 2024, 09:04 AM

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing California cities to clear homeless encampments, following a recent Supreme Court ruling. This directive has led to aggressive sweeps in San Francisco, where Mayor London Breed has promised intensified efforts to remove tents from city streets, including areas under the Central Freeway. The city's Homeless Outreach Team is offering immediate shelter beds to those displaced. However, the approach has faced criticism from homeless advocates and legal organizations, who argue that the actions violate laws requiring notice and respect for personal property. Critics also point out that over 700 permanent supportive housing units remain vacant. Los Angeles has pushed back against the order, with county supervisors and the sheriff declaring that they will not cite or jail homeless individuals, calling the encampments unsafe and inhumane. The situation has sparked a debate on the effectiveness and humaneness of such measures in addressing the homelessness crisis in California.