California's Governor Gavin Newsom has called on cities and counties to enforce bans on homeless encampments, presenting a legislative blueprint for local authorities. Since taking office, Newsom has made addressing homelessness a key focus, leveraging state funding for housing initiatives, like converting motels into homes. However, local leaders express frustration, stating they require consistent funding rather than sporadic assistance to tackle the root causes of homelessness effectively. Meanwhile, advocates argue that encampment bans exacerbate the challenges faced by the homeless, hindering their chances of securing stable housing and employment.
"Studies have shown that encampment bans and other punitive measures make it even harder for people to find stable housing and work," said Alex Visotzky with the Homeless Outreach Program.
"Eight in 10 cities have policies to address encampments but they need money to address the root causes of homelessness, such as more housing," said Carolyn Coleman.
"Despite local governments' efforts, sustained funding is critical for permanent projects rather than sporadic one-time funding," stated representatives of California's counties.
Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled draft language for local governments to address homelessness, emphasizing the state's commitment to tackling the ongoing crisis.
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