The leader of California asked cities and towns this week to stop homeless people from making camps. He also gave them a plan to take away the tents from streets, parks, and rivers in many parts of the state.

When Governor Gavin Newsom became governor in 2019, he said that helping people without homes was very important. Before that, it was mostly a problem for city leaders. But Newsom used money to change old hotels into homes and started other plans to help with this problem.

But he has often asked cities and areas to help. On Monday, he showed some words local governments can use to remove homeless camps. Here is what you need to know:

What information is included in the standard regulation?

The new rule says people cannot camp in the same spot for a long time or block public places like sidewalks. Cities must tell people they need to move and try to help them find a place to stay before they make them leave.

What is the opinion of the local authorities?

Groups for California's cities and counties didn't like being told they were responsible for bad streets. They said they need regular money for a long time for lasting projects, not just money sometimes.

Carolyn Coleman, who leads the League of California Cities, said that most cities have rules about homeless camps. But they need money to help with the main reasons people are homeless, like having more places to live.

A group in California said the state did not give as much money to help people without homes as it said it would. They also said that half of the money went to companies that build houses.

What do people who help the homeless say?

Studies show that when people are not allowed to camp and there are strict rules, it is harder for them to find a home and a job, said Alex Visotzky from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

People might lose important papers or lose touch with a helper, so they have to begin again.

Jay Joshua resides in a small encampment in Los Angeles, where he also takes responsibility for its well-being. He believes these encampments can offer a secure environment for their residents.

What are cities in California doing about people who don't have homes?

Big cities with Democratic leaders have started to take strong action against homeless camps. They say these camps are bad for people's health and safety.

In San Francisco, the new mayor Daniel Lurie said he would make the city sidewalks clean. In San Jose, Mayor Matt Mahan wants to arrest people if they say no to a place to stay three times.

Is it mandatory for cities and counties to adopt it?

Newsom cannot make cities and areas ban camping.

But the idea for a law about camping came with news of $3.3 billion. This money is for places that help people with mental health and drug problems. This might mean the state will only give money if cities follow the new camping rules.

In 2022, he stopped giving $1 billion of state money to local government. He said their plans to help homeless people were not good enough.