The governor of California asked cities and areas in the state to stop people from setting up camps on the streets this week.

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

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

What does the model regulation state?

The governor's plan says people should not camp in the same place for a long time. They also should not block paths or other public areas. Cities and counties must tell people before they clear their camps and try to find places for them to stay.

What are the opinions of the local authorities?

Groups for cities and counties in California said they are not to blame for the bad streets. They said they need steady money for many years for projects that last, not just money now and then.

Carolyn Coleman from the League of California Cities said that 8 out of 10 cities have rules for homeless camps. But she said they need money to help with the main reasons people are homeless, like needing more houses.

A group in California said the state did not give as much money for homelessness as they said. They also said that half of the money went to people who build houses.

What do people who help homeless people think?

Studies show that when people are stopped from camping and are punished, it is harder for them to find a home and a job, says Alex Visotzky from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

People might lose important papers or lose touch with someone who helps them, so they have to begin again.

Jay Joshua lives in a small camp in Los Angeles and also helps to manage it. He believes these camps can provide a safe environment for the people who live there.

What are cities in California doing about people living in tents?

Big cities with Democratic mayors have started to remove homeless camps. They say the camps are dangerous for health and safety.

In San Francisco, the new mayor said he would make the streets clean. In San Jose, the mayor wants to arrest people who refuse to go to a shelter three times.

Do cities and counties need to adopt it?

Newsom cannot make cities and areas stop people from camping.

They also said they would give $3.3 billion to help people with mental health and drug problems. This might mean he will give money from the state if they follow the new rules.

In 2022, he stopped one billion dollars of state money for local governments. He said their plans to help people without homes were not good enough.