Dressed down political leader is spotted undercover clearing out HOMELESS encampment after issuing urgent warning
California Governor Gavin Newsom was spotted clearing out a homeless camp in Los Angeles while appearing to avoid the spotlight.
The 56-year-old Democrat personally took to the streets Thursday to address his state’s homelessness epidemic, days after he ordered California agencies to step up their efforts to combat the problem.
Newsom was seen wearing jeans and a T-shirt in a clip shared by a FOX Los Angeles reporter throwing away trash at a camp in Mission Hills.
Earlier this week, the governor warned local governments in California that they could lose state aid next year if they don’t address homelessness in the Golden State.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was sober on Thursday as he cleared out a homeless camp in Los Angeles
The Democrat got his hands dirty after threatening to pull state funding if local authorities in California didn’t step in to clean up homeless camps
Newsom’s warning about state funding follows an executive order he signed June 25 requiring state agencies and communities to clear homeless encampments.
In the executive order, Newsom cited California’s staggering homelessness numbers. Official estimates put the number of homeless people in the state at 180,000 by 2023.
Newsom said in a statement at the time that it is “urgent to take action” to address the “dangerous” homeless camps.
“(The camps) expose the homeless people living there to extreme weather conditions, fires, predatory and criminal activity, and widespread drug use,” he said.
“This endangers their health, safety and well-being, threatens the safety and viability of nearby businesses and neighborhoods, and undermines the beauty and usability of parks, water supplies and other public amenities.”
While the executive order was intended to clear the camps, Newsom insisted the measure would also “help the people who live there.”
“The state has worked hard to address this crisis on our streets. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part,” he said.
Last month, Newsom issued an executive order requiring state agencies and communities to clear homeless camps, an issue that has plagued his time in office
Homeless people are seen on the streets of San Francisco on July 31, 2024, shortly after Newsom issued his executive order to clear the camps
California’s governor has threatened to cut off state funding to counties that fail to address homelessness, as seen last month in San Francisco
After getting his hands dirty cleaning up the area on Thursday, Newsom vowed to pull state funding from local governments, saying they aren’t doing their part.
“I want to see results,” he said.
“I don’t want to read about it. I don’t want to see the data. I want to see it.”
The executive order came after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that governments could not force people to leave their camps if there were no shelter beds available.
Newsom’s administration in a letter supported the cities’ arguments that previous rulings, including one that prohibited San Francisco from clearing encampments, prevented the state from solving a critical problem.
In California, about a third of the U.S. population lives without a home, a problem that Newsom has had since he took office.
Thousands of tents and makeshift shelters have been erected along highways, parking lots and public parks across the state.
Under Newsom’s leadership, the state has spent about $24 billion cleaning up streets and housing people.
That includes at least $3.2 billion in grants given to local governments to build shelters, clear encampments and connect homeless people with services where they see need, Newsom said.
According to Newsom’s office, there are approximately 180,000 people experiencing homelessness in California, representing more than a third of the nation’s total homeless population.
California has spent about $24 billion under Newsom’s leadership to clean up streets and house people, but the governor said the problem is still prevalent across the state
In making his call to action, Newsom said he wants to “see results,” adding, “I don’t want to read about it. I don’t want to see the data. I want to see it.”
These are unprecedented investments by the state, he added, but his government will reinvest that money from January.
“This is not about criminalization,” Newsom said. “What is criminal is neglecting people who are struggling and suffering and dying while we stand by.”
It’s not the first time Newsom has announced he will cut funding over what he sees as a lack of efforts by local governments to address homelessness.
In 2022, he threatened to cut $1 billion in homelessness spending from cities and counties over the lack of progress.
Last month, his office recalled a $10 million grant sent to San Diego to build tiny homes, saying the region had not acted quickly enough.
San Francisco’s mayor has taken more aggressive steps to clear encampments, but others, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LA County officials, have pushed back, saying the governor’s approach won’t work.
Newsom on Thursday praised Bass’ work in successfully reducing the number of people sleeping outdoors in Los Angeles, but added that his frustration is focused on the regions.
The California State Association of Counties, which represents 58 California counties, said it will not intervene in the governor’s announcement Thursday.
A spokesperson instead referred to a statement in response to Newsom’s order last month, in which he said counties “will continue to work with the governor and share his sense of urgency.”