California Cities Enforce New Homeless Encampment Bans

Following a Supreme Court ruling, numerous cities in California are implementing stricter anti-camping laws, affecting thousands of homeless individuals.

The U.S. Supreme Court's June decision allows cities to ban homeless camps even without sufficient shelter beds.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order encouraging local governments to clear homeless encampments.
Santa Monica City Council voted to amend its anti-camping ordinance, giving police more discretion in enforcing the law.
Critics argue that these new measures are cruel and exacerbate the hardships faced by homeless individuals.
Nearly two-thirds of California's 186,000 homeless people are unsheltered, with the total homeless population up 8% since 2022.