The legislation is introduced at a time when cities like San Diego face challenges in managing and funding the response to homeless encampments on state-owned land.
SAN DIEGO — State Senator Catherine Blakespear from Encinitas has introduced a new bill aimed at tackling the rising problem of homeless encampments alongside California’s freeways and highways. The proposed legislation, SB 569, seeks to expedite the removal of these encampments and enhance collaboration between state agencies and local municipalities.
The proposed legislation mandates that Caltrans, the agency responsible for maintaining highways, create strategies for clearing homeless encampments on land owned by the state.
“What this does is encourage the state agency to cooperate more effectively with cities,” Blakespear remarked to CBS 8.
This bill emerges as cities like San Diego grapple with insufficient control and funding to manage homeless encampments located on state property. If enacted, SB 569 could offer a more efficient method for addressing this escalating concern throughout California.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who co-sponsored the bill, showed his support via social media, declaring that “SB 569 will streamline how we can collaborate with Caltrans to clear encampments and connect individuals to necessary services.”
The challenge of homeless encampments on state-owned land has increasingly become a significant issue for cities across California.
“In each of the 12 Caltrans districts, we are receiving complaints from cities stating they cannot effectively manage the homelessness within their boundaries because it’s on land they do not control,” Blakespear continued, “and we need Caltrans to step up as a better partner.”
The proposed legislation is in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order issued last summer, which tasked state agencies with developing policies for handling encampments on state-owned property while ensuring that Californians are treated with dignity and respect. Blakespear opines that her bill aligns with these objectives, stating, “What we observe daily is a lack of the responsiveness we need. A better partnership between state agencies and cities is essential, and this bill directly addresses that.”
Blakespear emphasized that the aim is not merely to displace the issue.
“It’s not just about clearing them out and having the problem resurface nearby. It’s about linking them to the services they require,” she noted.
Currently, Caltrans has not responded to CBS 8’s requests for comments regarding the proposed legislation.
