What we know about the governor’s order to clear homeless encampments in California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order on Thursday directing officials of the state with the largest homeless population in the nation to start removing homeless encampments was met with outrage from homeless advocates and elected officials.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday issued an executive order directing officials in the state with the nation’s largest homeless population to start removing homeless encampments – a move met with outrage from homeless advocates and elected officials. The Democratic governor’s order came on the heels of a US Supreme Court decision last month that ruled in favor of an Oregon city that ticketed homeless people for sleeping outside. The order calls on state officials “to adopt humane and dignified policies to urgently address encampments on state property.” “This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them – and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same,” Newson said in a statement. “There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.” California has the largest homeless population in the nation, with more than 180,000 of the estimated 653,000 people experiencing homelessness nationwide residing in the Golden State, according to a 2023 report to Congress from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Here’s what we know about the executive order, along with reactions from state officials and homelessness advocates: Newsom’s executive order was buoyed by the US Supreme Court’s decision last month, which rejected arguments that ticketing homeless people for sleeping outside violates the Constitution’s ban on “cruel and unusual” punishment.