Homelessness

Tents in a homeless encampment line up against a fence in the Chinatown neighborhood just outside of downtown Fresno on Feb. 11, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

Homelessness

No sleeping bags, keep moving: California cities increase crackdown on homeless encampments

More than two-dozen California cities passed, strengthened or are considering ordinances that penalize people for sleeping outside, after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed cities to crack down.

By

Marisa Kendall

• September 12, 2024

Homelessness

Exclusive: California’s homeless population grew again this year, especially in these counties

Homelessness increased again in California this year. But experts are raising questions about the data.

By

Marisa Kendall

• September 10, 2024

LAHSA workers and others in high-visibility gear stand near a tent, surrounded by yellow caution tape. The scene appears to involve a city operation, possibly addressing a homeless encampment. People in the background are observing or engaged in conversation.

Homelessness

CalMatters sues LA homeless authority to obtain secret shelter records

After reports of shelter deaths and assaults, officials grappling with the state’s biggest homeless crisis have denied repeated requests for incident reports created by government contractors.

By

Lauren Hepler

• September 9, 2024

Homelessness

Report blasts LA for criminalizing homelessness

Lea esta historia en Español When the Supreme Court and then Gov. Gavin Newsom gave the green-light to crack down on homeless encampments this summer, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass loudly took issue with that approach — setting herself apart from other big-city leaders. But despite Bass’ public stance against it, and her efforts to […]

By

Marisa Kendall

• August 14, 2024

An unhoused person sits on top of an orange safety barrier surrounded by various posessions alongside a street.

Homelessness

‘We gotta be somewhere’: Homeless Californians react to Newsom’s crackdown

Homeless Californians and activists say authorities are cracking down harder on encampments, after getting the green light from the Supreme Court and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By

Marisa Kendall

• August 12, 2024

Tents line up near a fence in the Chinatown neighborhood of Fresno on Feb. 10, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

Homelessness

Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections

A critical new federal audit calls out California for doing too little to prevent fraudulent spending of homelessness funds. Nearly $320 million was at risk.

By

Marisa Kendall

• August 6, 2024

Surrounded by workers in hazmat suits and bright orange waste bags, Gov. Gavin Newsom helps clear a homeless encampment in San Diego.

Homelessness

Gavin Newsom orders state agencies to move homeless people out of camps — but to where?

Lea esta historia en Español Gov. Gavin Newsom today ordered state agencies to remove homeless camps throughout California, his first major show of force since the Supreme Court granted state and local authorities more power to clear encampments. Newsom’s executive order mandates that state agencies and departments adopt policies to clear camps on state property. […]

By

Marisa Kendall

• July 25, 2024