An Aging Homeless Population Amidst A Push by Newsom to Ban Encampments

Here are the morning’s top stories on Tuesday, May 13, 2025…

• The Trump administration has launched an investigation into California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants. The program provides monthly aid to a small number of aged, blind and disabled noncitizens with legal protections who do NOT qualify for Social Security due to their immigration status. It’s funded through the state.

Newsom Pushes CA Cities to Ban Homeless Encampments

On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom released a model ordinance for California cities and counties to use as a template for banning camping on public property. The ordinance prohibits tents and other structures from blocking sidewalks. It also prohibits camping or sleeping on public property for more than three days.

The new template requires officials to give notice and make reasonable attempts to house people before clearing camps. It also encourages local governments to follow basic principles, like not arresting people for sleeping outside when there’s no other option.

This ordinance is being paired with $3.3 billion from Proposition 1 funding. Prop 1,  which helps fund supportive housing, mental health and substance use treatment, was passed last year.

Advocates with the Cicero Institute, which promotes camping bans, call this ordinance it a step in the right direction. But some homeless advocates say this would just make things worse.

The model is more of a suggestion than a rule, as Newsom cannot force cities to adopt laws.

More Older Adults are Becoming Homeless 

Older adults who once were able to afford housing are increasingly becoming homeless. Nationally, nearly 20% of homeless people are 55 or older.

And once an older person becomes homeless, it can be hard to get back into housing. Older homeless adults can often have certain accessibility requirements that make some housing impractical, or impossible for them to live in. So the options for housing get less and less.

But while the state grapples with an aging homeless population, some are stepping up themselves to improve the living and housing conditions of older individuals. The nonprofit, Hearts for Seniors, focuses on improving the lives of older people, from getting food to fixing houses.  Their goal is to encourage independent living and support seniors by making their home more livable. But many seniors are experiencing homeless for the first time in their life.