In 2025, we started to see the effects of a more punitive approach to homelessness from the state and local governments.
A CalMatters investigation found that the number of people arrested or cited for homelessness-related offenses soared in cities around the state. At least 50 California cities passed new ordinances targeting homeless encampments, according to an analysis by UC Berkeley Law students. That all came after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which gave cities more freedom to punish people for sleeping in public spaces.
Gov. Gavin Newsom doubled down in encouraging cities to crack down on people living outdoors. In May, he urged every local government in the state to adopt ordinances that restrict public camping. In August, he launched a new state taskforce dedicated to clearing encampments…