Sacramento, May 12, 2025 – Following the Governor’s announcement regarding the release of a homeless encampment model ordinance, League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman issued the statement below:

“When it comes to addressing homelessness, the question is not how many cities have encampment ordinances. It is whether cities have the ongoing funding from the state to match the scale of the crisis. Cal Cities stands strongly behind its position that now is the time for the state to invest in ongoing funding for all cities, big and small, to address homelessness. 

Cal Cities was pleased to hear this morning’s announcement about the release of $3 billion in much-needed state funding to support behavioral health housing in communities throughout our state. But this funding, which was authorized by Proposition 1 and supported by cities, cannot be used to implement encampment ordinances. 

Clearing encampments may be the most visible part of this crisis, but without addressing the underlying root causes of homelessness, the cycle will only repeat itself. We have the blueprint to drive real solutions. Federal and state reports tell us, time and time again, that targeted and sustained funding leads to decreases in homelessness. That’s why it is deeply concerning that the Governor’s current budget proposal eliminates funding from the Housing, Homeless Assistance and Prevention grant program, which has been a funding lifeline for the cities that receive these grant dollars.

We appreciate the state offering a model encampment ordinance and agree that it’s only a ‘starting point’ for jurisdictions, since it builds upon what many cities are already doing. Cal Cities data shows that eight in 10 cities already have policies in place to address encampments, and nearly 40% of cities recently updated their local ordinances to align with the Governor’s executive order on encampment ordinances issued last November. 

Cities are stepping up and trying to coordinate with state agencies to address encampments more efficiently and effectively. But nearly four in 10 cities cite a lack of state coordination as a top barrier to success. That’s why Cal Cities is co-sponsoring legislation to increase communication and coordination between state agencies and cities when addressing encampments on state property.

Cities are focused on solutions, and every level of government has a role to play in the outcome.”

Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials. www.calcities.org