CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM REJECTS PROVEN HOUSING & SERVICES APPROACHES, INSTEAD TICKETING AND ARRESTING CALIFORNIANS LEFT HOMELESS & WITHOUT CARE 

Newsom Adopts Conservative-Backed Supreme Court Decision Despite Failing to Address Record High Housing Costs and Inadequately Funding Mental Health and Substance Use Care 

Politicians Across the Country are Turning to Costly and Ineffective Approaches to Homelessness and Drugs That Worsen Problems 

NEW YORK — Today, California Governor Newsom ordered the dismantling of thousands of homeless encampments across the state. His order comes in response to the recent Supreme Court decision on the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, which opens the door to incarcerate, fine, and ticket homeless individuals just for trying to survive. This action fails to address the root causes of the issue: housing is unaffordable for millions of Americans, and many struggling with drugs or mental health needs do not have access to care. 

In response, VOCAL-NY, VOCAL-KY and VOCAL-TX — organizations comprised of people who have experienced homelessness — released the following statement, attributable to Jawanza James Williams, VOCAL-NY’s Director of Organizing:

“California has some of the highest housing costs in the nation, yet has never offered an actual way for the tens of thousands of unhoused Californians to have a real housing option. While there has been investment into California’s housing crisis, it has never been enough to permanently solve a problem that elected officials have allowed to grow for decades. 

Let’s be abundantly clear: Governor Newsom’s action is a direct consequence of the Supreme Court decision that ruled that people who cannot afford a place to live, and have no shelter options, can be thrown in jail. Politicians like Newsom continue to fail us – especially people of color, those living in poverty, and those with disabilities – then blame those same people they abandon, without taking any responsibility. Most people in this country are closer to becoming homeless than having the wealth and power our elected officials do, yet they continue to create policies that criminalize poverty and put our lives in jeopardy.”

BACKGROUND: 

The state of California does not have enough housing that its residents can afford, regardless of Newsom’s false claims that he is offering people housing and services. Most Californians living in homeless encampments have never been offered housing, including supportive housing for those who are struggling with drugs or mental health needs. To solve these problems, the federal government and the state of California must invest in housing, services and care. Until there is housing available, it must enact measures to reduce public health and safety concerns, not ticket and arrest people for having no options. 

VOCAL-NY, VOCAL-KY, and VOCAL-TX stand with organizations across the country calling on the Biden administration and Congress to invest  at least $356 billion in the next year with continued funding in future years to ensure that everybody has safe, decent housing that they can afford. Specifically, we call for full funding of:

• Universal rental assistance for lowest-income households 
• Public housing repair and preservation 
• National Housing Trust Fund 
• Eviction and Homelessness Prevention
• Voluntary supportive and emergency services 

Johnson v Grants Pass is a court case that said it is not cruel and unusual punishment to arrest or ticket people for sleeping outside when they have no other safe place to go.  The case started in Grants Pass, Oregon, when the city began issuing tickets for people sleeping on public property, even when there were no safe, welcoming shelter beds. Half of renters in Grants Pass residents are paying more than 30% of their income on rent.  The lack of housing that people can afford is the primary cause of homelessness in Grants Pass and across the country and only solutions that provide housing and services if they are needed will solve the growing problem of homelessness. 

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