California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a sweeping initiative to clear homeless encampments from public spaces, including sidewalks, parks, and bike paths. The proposal urges local governments to enforce bans on tent settlements while addressing systemic gaps in homelessness funding oversight.
The push follows explosive audit reports revealing that state and local agencies failed to track billions allocated for housing and support services. Critics argue the lack of transparency has worsened California's homelessness crisis, which accounts for nearly 30% of America's unhoused population.
As temperatures soar across the state, advocates warn displaced residents face heightened health risks. "This isn't about criminalizing poverty," a state official told CGTN, "but creating safer environments while expanding shelter capacity."
Los Angeles, home to over 40,000 unhoused individuals, has seen encampments multiply despite $1.3 billion in recent homelessness spending. Analysts suggest Newsom's plan could reshape urban landscapes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to bring millions of visitors to California venues.
