New Homeless Encampment Effort Could Affect Commercial Properties

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the creation of the Statewide Alliance for Encampment (SAFE) task force to clear homeless encampments in California’s ten largest cities, including Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Understanding this effort is important for property managers because it could shift encampments toward commercial areas, affecting safety, access, and operations. 

What You Need to Know 

The task force will focus on:  

• Clear encampments from state-owned land and roads, with Caltrans leading the effort. 

• Bringing together help from emergency services, social programs, and addiction support. 

• Using the state’s model that gives notice and offers housing before clearing camps. 

Over the next 30 days, SAFE will focus on cities where safety, access, and helping people need careful balance. 

How It Impacts You 

For property managers, encampments can create safety, access, and liability issues. SAFE may help in some areas, but it could also bring new challenges.

Clearing camps from state land may push people toward buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots, creating new challenges for managers. 

After the Grants Pass ruling, clearing parks just moved camps closer to stores and offices. The same could happen now. 

Unfortunately, teams may deal with more security issues, higher cleanup costs, and worried tenants. 

Looking Ahead 

Commercial real estate professionals can prepare by: 

Work with local officials: Stay in touch with city departments and outreach groups to handle encampments quickly. 

Update plans: Train your teams to handle encampments safely and by the rules. 

Talk to tenants: Keep them updated so they feel safe and know what’s being done. 

Watch trends: Keep an eye on camps moving from state land to nearby commercial areas so you can respond fast. 

Stay Connected 

SAFE shows a new approach to homelessness, but property managers should stay alert and prepare for its effects on commercial areas. 

Stay connected with BOMA on the Frontline for updates on issues impacting members.