Governor Gavin Newsom convened a new task force last month, which is responsible for clearing homeless encampments on state property across major cities.
The State Action for Facilitation on Encampments (SAFE) Task Force consists of the following six state agencies, each with its own unique role in the encampment removal process:
California Highway Patrol
Office of Emergency Services
Department of Housing and Community Development
Interagency Council on Homelessness
Health and Human Services
Caltrans
CHP is providing public safety assistance during the cleanups, which are carried out by Caltrans. OES is responsible for logistics and procurement of resources.
The task force will fan out across California’s 10 largest cities:
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Oakland
San Diego
Sacramento
San Jose
Long Beach
Anaheim
Bakersfield
Fresno
“California has put in place a strong, comprehensive strategy for fighting the national homelessness and housing crises — and is outperforming the nation as a result in turning this issue around,” Newsom said. “No one should live in a dangerous or unsanitary encampment, and we will continue our ongoing work to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass threw her support behind the governor, noting that highway medians, freeway on and off ramps, and areas beneath highway overpasses fall within the state’s purview.
“I am glad that the Governor is continuing action to collaborate with local efforts,” she added. “Los Angeles has bucked nationwide trends of increasing homelessness and Governor Newsom’s announcement of a task force today will help keep that momentum.”
The task force was created just over a year after Newsom issued an executive order directing encampment cleanups on state property and urging local governments to crack down on public camping.
But tent cleanups represent an enormous challenge for both state and local governments, as recent events in Hollywood show. The area beneath the 101 Freeway at Cahuenga Boulevard was among the first to be targeted by Karen Bass’ Inside Safe program in March 2024. According to Eyewitness News, the encampment that was dismantled there has already been rebuilt.