Newsom steps up pressure on localities to clear homeless encampments: 'I’ll start to redirect money'

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is stepping up pressure on local officials, urging them to move faster to dismantle homeless encampments throughout the state.

“If we don’t see demonstrable results, I’ll start to redirect money,” Newsom told reporters on Thursday in the San Fernando Valley where an encampment was recently cleared, adding, “I’ll be candid with you. This is more broadly an indictment of counties. … Counties need to do more.”

Newsom said the state has "open hands, not a closed fist" toward counties on this issue but "if we don’t see results, we’re going to change our approach.”

Newsom issued an executive order in late July, about one month after the Supreme Court ruled that attempts to remove such encampments was not a violation of one's constitutional rights.

“This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them – and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same,” the governor said in a statement. “There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”

The executive order directs state agencies to "move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them – and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same."

In the Supreme Court case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, the justices ruled in favor of an Oregon city that ticketed homeless people for sleeping outside.

Thousands of encampments could be removed as a result of the order, according to a report from CNN.

California has for years struggled with homelessness as a result of, in large part, a shortage of affordable housing options.