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San Diego City Council backs state bill to streamline encampment response on Caltrans land
Summary
The council unanimously approved a resolution supporting California Senate Bill 569, which would require Caltrans to coordinate with local governments, create a liaison office and strengthen delegated maintenance agreements to speed encampment response and reimburse local costs (bill is early in the legislative process).
The San Diego City Council on March 10 voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting California Senate Bill 569, a measure that proponents say would speed and coordinate responses to homeless encampments on state-owned rights of way.
Councilmember Whitburn, who introduced the resolution, told colleagues the bill "will help to address these challenges with a program to bring the Transportation Department together with local governments to collaborate on solutions," and noted the governor's recent $130 million commitment to related efforts. Presenters and staff said the city receives roughly 300 notifications a month about encampments on state land and that the bill would require Caltrans to establish a dedicated liaison office, strengthen delegated maintenance agreements (DMAs) so local policies can be employed, and, if the Legislature appropriates funds, reimburse local governments for agreed services.
Supporters at the meeting included Aurora Livingston, a district representative for state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who said the bill's goal is to "get people experiencing homelessness off freeway property and connected to shelter and supportive services as soon as possible." Business and neighborhood groups, including the Downtown San Diego Partnership and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, also urged the council to adopt the resolution.
Speakers with lived experience cautioned the council and bill authors to ensure that any clearance of encampments is paired with concrete housing and services. Natalie Raschke of Lived Experience Advisors asked, "When you sweep people, where are they going to go? Do we have solutions after we move these people?" Councilmembers repeatedly stressed that housing remains the long-term solution and said they would watch legislative language closely to avoid simply moving people from one jurisdiction to another.
Councilmembers said the measure does not change local law but would create clearer, district-level coordination with Caltrans and related agencies. Councilmember Campillo seconded the motion to adopt the resolution; the measure passed 9-0.
The resolution urges support for SB 569 as it moves through the Legislature and requests that city staff continue engagement with the senator's office and Caltrans to shape the bill's implementation details and funding mechanisms.
