Last year's Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson enabled cities to clear homeless encampments, raising concerns about criminalizing homelessness without addressing the underlying shelter shortages. California cities, historically underfunding social services, focus on maintaining low taxes to attract residents and businesses. This dynamic has intensified competition among cities, as seen in Fremont's stringent measures against encampments. While local leaders respond to public outcry for action, such punitive policies do not address homelessness effectively or humanely.
Historically, California cities have rarely invested in social services, including shelters for the homeless. This stems from the limited scope of city governments, mainly focusing on land use, policing, and infrastructure.
The recent Grants Pass decision, while allowing cities to remove homeless encampments, has led to heightened tensions among cities competing for residents, business, and tax revenue.
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