Homeless encampment bill rejected, senators still pushing for solution

The Senate Public Safety Committee has rejected a bipartisan solution to clearing homeless encampments near schools and other 'sensitive' areas. Still, bill writers say they are not taking no for an answer.

Senate Bill 1011 was introduced by Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) and Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) in February.

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Republican senator Jones says he's taking the rejection of his bill lightly.

"Homelessness isn't a partisan issue. It's not a Democratic-Liberal issue, a Conservative-Republican issue, or a No-Party preference. It's an issue, and we need to come together to solve it," he said. "This is a a very small first step in dealing with this enormous homeless challenge and problems that we're having in California."

This bill focuses on:

• Prohibiting homeless encampments within 500ft of a school, open space, and transit stop - making this a misdemeanor or infraction.
• Prohibiting camping on sidewalks if a homeless shelter is available.
• Requiring a 72-hour warning before an encampment sweep.
• Requiring enforcement officers to provide information about sleeping alternatives, homeless and mental health services, and/or homeless shelters in the area.

"Every worse condition of the human condition is in these encampments, and we just can't keep tolerating that and walking by it and pretending it doesn't exist," said Jones.

With California's new state audit coming out saying $24 billion spent on homelessness programs was not accurately tracked.

Jones says that's why his bill is needed.

"Taxpayers in your area and across the state should be totally frustrated and fed up with this legislature and this governor that they continue to waste their tax dollars and can't even say where it went," he said.

Many people voted against the bill Tuesday with a 1/3 vote.

"We know that the solution to houselessness is more homes and more affordable housing," said a community member at the SB1011 presentation. "This bill does neither."

Jones says he's still going to push for a solution.

"I'll never give up," he said. "Because you know what? This is until this homeless situation in California is solved. That's when I can give up."

Senator Jones's bill was modeled after a new camping ban in San Diego, which took effect in July 2023.

Which bans camps near schools, shelters, and parks.

However, many people are against the ordinance in San Diego, saying it displaces people instead of housing them.