SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California's governor urged the state's municipalities this week to prohibit homeless encampments, even offering model legislation for dismantling the tent cities that proliferate along streets, parks, and waterways across much of the state.

Upon assuming office in 2019, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom elevated addressing homelessness to a significant priority for his administration, a departure from its prior designation as an issue predominantly managed by mayors and local authorities. Newsom's strategy involved substantial investment in converting disused motels into residential accommodation and introducing further initiatives to confront this challenge.

Nevertheless, he has consistently urged urban and regional authorities to fulfil their responsibilities, and on Monday, he introduced preliminary phrasing that local administrations could implement to dismantle encampments. Here is the relevant information:

What information does the model ordinance convey?

Newsom's suggested rule stops people from 'persistent camping' in one spot and from setting up camps that block sidewalks and other public areas. It requires cities and counties to give notice and try their best to find and offer shelter before removing a camp.

What are the viewpoints articulated by local governmental bodies?

Organisations representing California’s cities and counties disputed the notion that they are culpable for street conditions, arguing instead that sustained, multi-year funding for permanent projects is required, in contrast to intermittent, one-time allocations.

Carolyn Coleman, the executive director and CEO of the League of California Cities, indicated that while eight out of ten cities possess policies to manage encampments, significant funding is required to tackle the fundamental causes of homelessness, such as increasing housing availability.

According to the California State Association of Counties, the state's financial contributions towards tackling homelessness fall short of its claims, with fifty percent of the allocated funds reportedly diverted to housing developers.

What is the consensus among proponents of homeless rights?

Research indicates that prohibiting encampments and imposing other punitive actions exacerbate the difficulty individuals face in securing stable housing and employment, according to Alex Visotzky of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Individuals may misplace crucial documents or become disconnected from a reliable case manager, compelling them to recommence the entire process.

In Los Angeles, Jay Joshua oversees a small encampment where he also resides, suggesting that these encampments can serve as secure havens for their inhabitants.

In what ways are municipalities across California tackling the proliferation of encampments?

In major cities with Democratic leadership, authorities have initiated rigorous measures to address encampments, asserting they pose significant risks to public health and safety.

In San Francisco, the newly elected mayor, Daniel Lurie, pledged to address the state of the city's sidewalks, while in San Jose, Mayor Matt Mahan has put forward a proposal to arrest individuals who decline shelter on three separate occasions.

Are municipalities and regional authorities mandated to implement it?

Newsom is unable to compel cities and counties to enact a prohibition on encampments.

However, the intended encampment legislation was coupled with the disclosure of $3.3 billion in grant funding for facilities addressing mental health and substance abuse issues, indicating that he might link state financial support to adherence.

In 2022, he suspended $1 billion in state funding allocated to local governments, asserting that their strategies for mitigating homelessness were inadequate.