Obama splits with Newsom on homelessness, labels LA crisis an ‘atrocity’ and demands action

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama offered a pointed critique of California’s approach to homelessness this week, breaking with Governor Gavin Newsom by saying that large homeless encampments in cities such as Los Angeles must be cleared while affirming the moral imperative to help the unhoused.

Obama, speaking about Los Angeles and the broader homelessness crisis, called it “an atrocity” that people are living on the streets in a country as wealthy as the United States.

He also made clear that Democrats cannot ignore what everyday residents are experiencing as tent cities spread across downtown corridors and major public areas.

Obama calls Los Angeles homeless crisis ‘atrocity’

Obama said policymakers should “insist on policies that recognize their full humanity,” referring to people who are unhoused, and provide resources such as d*ug treatment, temporary housing, and other services.

“Let's say here in Los Angeles around the homeless issue.”

“I think morally, ethically speaking, it is an atrocity that in a country this wealthy, we have people just on the streets.” At the same time, he argued that the public will not support those resources if leaders act as if tent cities are simply an unavoidable reality.

“And we should have, we should insist on policies that that recognize their full humanity. People who are houseless and be able to provide them the help and resources that they need."

Obama warns Democrats risk losing support on homelessness

Obama’s remarks come as more local governments across California move toward stricter policies, including increased encampment clearances and new rules on public camping, arguing that public spaces cannot remain open-air tent cities indefinitely. “But we should also recognize that the average person, you know, doesn't want to have to navigate around a tent city in the middle of downtown.”

“And that we're not going to be able to build a working majority and support for the resources that we need to help folks like that, whether it's d*ug treatment or, uh, you know, temporary housing or what have you.”

“We're not going to be able to generate support for it if we simply say, you know what, it's not their fault and so they should be able to do whatever they want, because that's a losing political strategy.” Unlike some local leaders who defend allowing encampments to remain as part of an open-access approach, Obama pushed back.

He said wealthy neighborhoods cannot accept visible homelessness downtown and expect residents to keep backing humane solutions such as housing assistance, d*ug treatment, or mental health care. If they do, they risk losing public support for those policies. 

Governor Gavin Newsom has long faced criticism over California’s homelessness crisis, including the visibility of large encampments and the state’s soaring spending on housing and services.