Forcing displacement of homeless camps may seem politically advantageous. However, criminalizing homelessness constitutes a flawed policy choice.
Homelessness in California is a decades-old issue that continues to plague the state, causing frustration and discomfort for both residents and visitors. Despite repeated attempts to address the problem, the struggle remains ongoing.
Clearing homeless encampments may seem like a politically viable solution, but it's merely an optical illusion without adequate housing alternatives in place. These encampments are unsightly, dirty, and potentially hazardous, yet they serve as a last resort for many individuals who have exhausted their second, third, and sometimes even fourth chances at stable living due to circumstances beyond their control.
Though side-lined as symptoms of mental illness and drug use, almost half of the homeless population in California is over 50 years old. They found themselves in this predicament due to a single stroke of bad luck that left them unable to meet their rent payments.
Margot Kushel, a professor of medicine at UC San Francisco and director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, has a deep understanding of encampments and their residents. She, however, is dismayed by Governor Gavin Newsom's push to encourage cities and counties to outlaw encampments, calling it a step towards the criminalization of homelessness. Newsom presented a boilerplate ordinance to ease the process of passing these laws.
Newsom argued that it is time to take back the streets and sidewalks, implying that encampments impede foot traffic, making it difficult for children, seniors, and people with disabilities to navigate the sidewalks. However, breaking down encampments without offering proper housing alternatives is counterproductive, making things worse for the affected individuals.
Newsom's draft ordinance claims to avoid criminalizing these individuals, but it requires only "every reasonable effort" to provide shelter to displaced people, knowing well that there are not enough shelter beds available. The ordinance also allows for the disposal of people's belongings if they carry bugs or feces, including personal belongings such as identification and medications.
This constant displacement not only sets people back, but it also erodes trust and pushes them further away from society. Consequently, by the time there are shelter beds or treatment centers ready, cooperation from the intended beneficiaries dwindles, exacerbating homelessness.
This harsh crackdown on encampments is politically advantageous for Newsom as he eyes his next move, whether presidential or otherwise, and as Democrats prepare for the 2026 midterms and the possible return of Trump. However, from a compassionate and effective policy perspective, this encampment right-wing swing is misguided and highly questionable.
It's crucial to remember that California is moving towards better homelessness statistics, albeit at a slow pace. Despite a record-breaking number of homeless individuals in 2021, the increase was only about 3%, compared to a national increase of about 18%. This suggests that California's current approach, which prioritizes housing and focuses on meeting people where they are, is working to some degree.
In fact, Governor Newsom announced $3.3 billion in funding for 124 mental health facilities around the state on the same day he made the push for encampment bans. This funding, from last year's Proposition 1, aims to add 5,000 residential treatment beds and over 21,000 outpatient slots to the state's struggling mental health and substance abuse treatment system.
In conclusion, while California is making steady progress in addressing homelessness, there is still much to be done. The state needs to focus on providing affordable housing and adequate mental health services to truly eliminate this persistent problem. Criminalizing homelessness through encampment bans without offering viable solutions only deepens the issue.
- Editorial boards in Los Angeles have expressed strong opposition to Governor Newsom's push for encampment bans, arguing that it is a misguided and counterproductive approach to the homelessness crisis in California.
- California's General-News outlets have reported on the ongoing debate about homelessness, with many commentators highlighting the need for more affordable housing and mental health services rather than criminalization of homeless encampments.
- In a recent editorial, the San Francisco Chronicle criticized Governor Newsom's encampment ban proposal, stating that it is a political move that will not solve the root causes of homelessness.
- As California grapples with the issue of homelessness, the government must focus on providing long-term solutions such as affordable housing and mental health services rather than enacting laws that criminalize the homeless population.
