Stockton, CA – Today, Miguel Villapudua, Chairman of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors issued the following statement in response to the executive order on homeless encampments issued by Governor Gavin Newsom:

“Governor Newsom’s executive order is welcome news and another important step, as it will ensure that local efforts to address encampments will be supported by his administration and State agencies. The homeless encampments have expanded over time due in large part to the State and local governments’ inability to act, based on previous restrictions from the Courts.

San Joaquin County is well positioned to integrate the Governor’s Executive Order thanks to the Board’s SJCARES initiative, which aims to quickly connect unhoused individuals with supportive services to improve outcomes. Between SJCARES, existing partnerships with our cities and Caltrans, and the recent Supreme Court Grants Pass decision, San Joaquin County has more tools to connect unhoused individuals to the specialized programs they need.

Here in San Joaquin County, our Board has authorized funding and support services to make sure that we are providing whole person care to our most vulnerable residents. We are committed to drug, alcohol, and mental health treatment to give these residents the best chance possible to live a life with dignity. This executive order means that we will be able to rely on the State as a partner in encouraging, with consequences and safe boundaries, those among us who are struggling with addiction and mental health crisis to seek and accept help. We see this as a positive development in addressing the crisis of unsheltered encampments in our community, and we are glad that the Governor has authorized the State to be a full partner in this effort.”

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