Sen. Blakespear’s Bills to Reduce Homelessness Pass Senate Committees
SACRAMENTO – Two bills by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, aimed at reducing homelessness passed Senate committees on Tuesday.
SB 16, which sets a goal of ending unsheltered homelessness within 10 years and directs the state to come up with a plan for meeting it, passed the Senate Housing Committee. SB 569, which would require the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to work more closely with cities to speed up removal of homeless encampments by state highways and roads, passed the Senate Transportation Committee.
“People are fed up. We need to get serious about ending unsheltered homelessness and getting people off the streets, and that’s what SB 16 does. It sets a firm timeline for doing that,” Sen. Blakespear said. “We also need to help cities address the growing number of homeless encampments by state roads. SB 569 requires Caltrans to work with cities to remove encampments more quickly, allowing it to contract for it, if necessary.”
Caltrans is responsible for managing right-of-ways on state highways but has struggled to respond to the encampments, due to a lack of resources and flexibility to coordinate with local governments. SB 569 requires Caltrans to set timelines for responding to requests to remove encampments and clarifies the agency could contract with local governments, and reimburse them, to do it.
The legislation follows up on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2024 executive order that directed state departments and agencies to adopt policies addressing homeless encampments, treating Californians with dignity and respect. The bill creates a clearer path for Caltrans to help the Governor and cities achieve their shared goals.
SB 569 is co-sponsored by the San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and the League of California Cities. It is also supported by the California Police Chiefs Association, California Big City Mayors Coalition, California Hotel and Lodging Association, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and more than a dozen cities.
SB 16, which has been significantly changed since introduced, now focuses on the state setting a goal to end unsheltered homelessness in California within 10 years. It also requires small and midsize cities to report biannually on what they are doing to end homelessness.
“We need to end the era of encampments,” said Elizabeth Funk, founder and CEO of DignityMoves. “SB 16 is the courageous new direction we all have been waiting for.”
The legislation is supported the New California Coalition, DignityMoves, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Bay Area Council, Housing California and National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Elected in 2022, Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.