California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday is pushing cities to ban homeless encampments — and is using state funds to force the issue.
Escalating his push to eradicate scores of encampments, the Democrat called on cities and towns to effectively prohibit tents from being erected on sidewalks, parks, bike paths and other public properties.
“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets. Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history. They asked for legal clarity — the courts delivered,” Newsom said in a statement.
“Now, we’re giving them a model they can put to work immediately, with urgency and with humanity, to resolve encampments and connect people to shelter, housing, and care. The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.”
While Newsom can’t force city leaders to enact a ban, he promised that some $3.3 billion in funding is available to communities that “expand behavioral health housing and treatment options for the most seriously ill and homeless in California.”
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