Polls
Should Homeless Encampments Be Banned?
Should Homeless Encampments Be Banned?
Here’s The Scoop
San Francisco is finally taking significant steps to tackle its rampant homeless problem, following a Supreme Court decision in June that empowered cities to enforce stricter measures.
City officials have wasted no time clearing out the numerous tent cities that have become eyesores and havens for criminal activity. However, maintaining these clean streets has proven challenging, as new encampments pop up almost as quickly as the old ones are removed. Notably, drug use continues to be a visible and persistent issue among the homeless population.
In a controversial move, San Francisco has been relocating homeless individuals to other counties within California and even to other states such as Texas. Over the past two years, the city has sent at least 857 homeless people out of state through its Journey Home program, which started in September. States like Oregon, Nevada, Texas, and even Florida have seen an influx of these individuals.
Mayor London Breed issued an executive directive last week that essentially prioritizes relocation over providing shelter and other services. According to Breed, San Francisco cannot continue to support the overwhelming number of homeless individuals flocking to the city to exploit its generous services.
Thanks to the recent Supreme Court ruling, cities can now enforce bans on homeless people sleeping in public spaces, even if there aren’t enough shelter beds available. This ruling came after an Oregon town tried to fine people $295 for sleeping outdoors, a case that highlighted the growing issue of homelessness in liberal strongholds like California, Oregon, and Washington.
San Francisco has long struggled with not just homelessness, but also crime and open-air drug use, primarily driven by the fentanyl epidemic. These issues have led to an exodus of businesses and residents from downtown areas, leaving the city with an estimated 38,000 homeless individuals on any given night—a number up 35% since 2019.
California leads the nation in homelessness with about 180,000 people homeless last year, including approximately 123,000 unsheltered individuals. Encampments have become so widespread near freeways and underpasses that California’s transportation department now has specialized protocols and workers dedicated to clearing them out.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!
Thomas
August 12, 2024 at 7:33 am
If you shake a rug, the dust settles anywhere. Camps are easier to monitor than having homeless scattered. Recruit some of the homeless to be the eyes and ears for the wider community. Yes, some of us are responsible citizens.
Linda Booker
August 12, 2024 at 7:38 am
Where else are they supposed to stay? Unless a better solution is found,leave them in their encampments.
Denise
August 12, 2024 at 7:53 am
Set up formal encampments that are monitored. They need somewhere to stay, but shouldn’t be allowed to have rampant, unchecked drug use. We need to bring back hospitals for the mentally ill and provide treatment for addicts.
David Martin Barron
August 12, 2024 at 8:04 am
We have plenty of Old Military bases that are all but abandon. Make a homeless city there and let them govern themselves. Put a fence around it and provide medical, food, and sanitation services. Put in place a need for jobs to give them something to do, let them get paid a small amount, let donations of clothing, and supplies be distributed, and provide counsoling, as well as vocational direction to take place. In other words, give these people a chance to start over agian. Current California government is a total failure and should be replaced 100%.
JOan
August 12, 2024 at 8:33 am
I like what David had to say. Put them on military bases. Your liberals have caused this whole thing. And of course, NO DRUGS are allowed.
Fredrick Ward
August 12, 2024 at 9:21 am
Homeless encampments should be outlawed within the city limits.
Walter W. Hedge
August 12, 2024 at 10:04 am
Matthew 8:20
And Jesus said unto him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath nowhere to lay His head.”
It’s a good thing Jesus doesn’t live in America today.
Gego
August 18, 2024 at 7:42 pm
There are hundreds of empty schools, factories, churches that could be repurposed as housing for homeless. But there should be conditions in order to live there. Conditions strictly enforced. Sadly most local governments are too cowardly to attach this requirement.
Debra
August 12, 2024 at 11:23 am
You can’t bane the homeless until you have somewhere else for them to go. Solve the housing problem and there will be no more homeless.
Terry
August 12, 2024 at 11:48 pm
Millions have been appropriated over the last 50+ years across this country. The homeless generally do not respond to this, often due to mental illness. Feeding them and caring for them only increases their dependence on public welfare. This actually impoverishes the actual WORKING citizen, what with our OWN governments unwillingness to bring spending down to balance out our federal tax revenue! When a family has provide food and shelter for their own people on a shrinking income, not much is available to support people that don’t work or won’t work. Bring in illegals by the millions, that get immediate welfare, only increases the burden!