Local reaction to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order on July 25 calling for state officials to begin removing homeless encampments has aroused strong sentiments with unsheltered providers opposed, while some government officials claim it was a necessary first step toward turning the tide on spiraling homelessness.
The order follows on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 28 decision upholding the right of municipalities to ban homeless people from sleeping on public property. That case involved three homeless people in Grants Pass, Ore., who sued after receiving citations for sleeping and camping outside. They argued those penalties violated the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution because the city did not have any public shelters.
The Supreme Court’s ruling split 6-3 along ideological lines, with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch writing for the conservative majority. The high court found the ordinances enacted in Grants Pass, Ore. restricting the right of people experiencing homelessness from sleeping on public property do not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment,” and are therefore not prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
Responding to the governor’s encampment order, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, chair of the California Big City Mayors coalition, said: “California’s Big City Mayors welcome the governor’s renewed direction and sense of urgency to address homelessness with tangible and meaningful action. The state’s large cities have been leading in resolving unsafe and unsanitary encampments while simultaneously ensuring that vulnerable unsheltered residents have options available to them to move off the streets, into care, and on a path to housing and better quality of life. All of us – mayors, other local elected officials, state leaders, and housed community members – must be united in acting to create more shelter options and housing for those in need.”
The Big City Mayors is a coalition of mayors from California’s 13 largest cities with populations of more than 300,000. Member cities include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Stockton, Riverside, and Irvine.
Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO at Father Joe’s Villages, a comprehensive homeless services provider downtown, reacted with concern for those unsheltered who will be impacted by the governor’s order.
“People – no matter their circumstances – have the right to safe and adequate shelter,” Vargas said. “But thousands of individuals and families across California have few options when they come to lay their heads down for the night. As one of the largest homeless services providers in Southern California, we know that jail is not a solution to this growing crisis.
“Any efforts to remove encampments must be coupled with efforts to increase the availability and diversity of shelters in our cities and regions, including shelter options that focus specifically on unique needs, such as addressing substance use,” Vargas said. “Along with shelter, we must also prioritize increasing the supply of affordable housing and the ability to access comprehensive services that help people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. Homelessness is a crisis we can solve in our communities. But the solutions must be grounded in our shared humanity. We must meet this moment with both compassion and action for our neighbors in need.”
Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Council president, while disappointed with the order, said it doesn’t change the City government’s direction in dealing with homelessness.
“I am more committed than ever to addressing our homelessness crisis with compassionate solutions in San Diego,” he said. “This ruling doesn’t change our ability to focus on building affordable housing, preventing San Diegans from falling into homelessness with rental assistance, and providing human-centered shelter with services. I will continue to push for using all the tools available to address the root causes of homelessness and minimize the traumatic experience of being unhoused and associated community-wide impacts without unnecessarily criminalizing the act of being homeless.”
The wrong call is how Caryn Blanton, executive director for Shoreline Community Services, a homeless services provider operating The Compass Station in Pacific Beach, reacted to the governor’s order.
“My feelings on this align with many other organizations that address issues of homelessness and housing,” she said characterizing the governor’s order as being “dangerous and moving us away from supportive services and affordable housing options. These types of punitive measures have historically been proven to fail. They criminalize homelessness and end up being expensive to communities and demeaning to those in need of resources and services.”
Three residents all had different takes on social media on the governor’s decision to allow state officials to begin dismantling homeless encampments.
“This is a start… Then it’s up to the City,” said Marie N. of Pacific Beach.
Judy M. of University City expressed frustration. “The City has tried the same actions over and over expecting different results for the homeless issue,” she noted. “It’s time to do something different. I liked Bill Walton’s idea of Sunbreak Ranch.”
Esther Ehrlich of Clairemont Village took a cautionary approach in addressing the encampment issue. “I understand the reason why encampments are being removed,” she said posing numerous questions such as, “Are they allowed to get personal belongings out? Where are they supposed to go? That is supposed to be a part of the plan. Where are they going to live? Where will they get healthcare and other assistance? Or is it another wild goose chase?”
Concluded Ehrlich: “These people matter, and deserve love and care. Remember, it could be you one day.”
San Diego City Council is going on August recess, returning in September when they are expected to resume dealing with homeless issues including reconsidering the homeless mega-shelter, dubbed Hope @ Vine, proposed by Gloria in Middletown.
