Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order to clear homeless encampments without providing immediate, safe housing alternatives will devastate unhoused families and exacerbate the student homeless crisis in Los Angeles.

As educators, we witness firsthand how the housing crisis disrupts classroom instruction and hinders students’ educational progress. With a third of Los Angeles’ homeless population under the age of 18, the dire impact on our students is evident every day.

Amidst record-high cost of living expenses, a fiercely competitive housing market, and inadequate tenant protections, the lack of financial and mental support has made it increasingly difficult for families to maintain dignified living conditions. Governor Newsom’s cruel decision responds to none of the forces driving California’s cost of living to rise faster than the income of its working people. Furthermore, these actions disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and families of color who, due to decades of systemic racism, suffer from homelessness at significantly higher rates. 

We believe every student deserves a safe place to sleep, and it is the government’s duty to ensure quality, accessible housing for all. We urge Governor Newsom to take immediate action to address this crisis, and its root causes, with compassion and justice, not punishment and neglect.