California officials are threatening to clear a mile-long homeless encampment that has grown to more than 200 people on a popular bike trail and is deemed a public health emergency.

Last month, Sonoma County's Board of Supervisors approved nearly $12million in emergency money to provide housing and other services to those living in the encampment of tents and makeshift shelters along the Joe Rodota Trail in Santa Rosa.

The vote came amid growing complaints from residents and businesses about squalid, unsanitary conditions, including rats and other pests and a rash of used needles in the area.

California officials are threatening to clear a mile-long homeless encampment (pictured) that has grown to more than 200 people on a popular bike trail and is deemed a public health emergency

Last month, Sonoma County's Board of Supervisors approved nearly $12million in emergency money to provide housing and other services to those living in the encampment (pictured) of tents and makeshift shelters along the Joe Rodota Trail in Santa Rosa

The vote came amid growing complaints from residents and businesses about squalid, unsanitary conditions, including rats and other pests and a rash of used needles in the area

Mike Westfall, who is a resident of the homeless encampment along the Joe Rodota Trail, stands for a portrait with his tent, bicycle and an artificial Christmas tree on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 in Santa Rosa, California

The $11.63million plan earmarks about $7million for county officials to buy existing multi-bedroom units and also to open at least two 'indoor-outdoor' shelters where people can hook up recreational vehicles and have safe parking spots if living in their cars.

There will also be protected areas for people to sleep outdoors if they refuse to come inside.

Sonoma County also plans to spend $1million to create seven new positions at the Department of Health Services and about $465,000 on 15 substance abuse beds.

The plan calls for at least two sanctioned encampments featuring indoor and outdoor shelter and services - at a cost of more than $2million - and leveraging another $5.5million to acquire existing housing.

Supervisor David Rabbitt said the urgency of the homelessness issue on the trail prompted immediate action but he's worried about resources and the future of the county's 3,000 homeless people.

'Resources are few and far between, and the problem is huge,' Rabbitt said. 'Every jurisdiction has a homelessness problem. People are wonderful and empathetic, but everyone is scratching their heads about how to address it.'

The $11.63M plan earmarks about $7M for officials to buy existing multi-bedroom units and open at least two 'indoor-outdoor' shelters where people can hook up recreational vehicles and have safe parking spots if living in their cars. The Joe Rodota Trail encampment pictured

Supervisor David Rabbitt said the urgency of the homelessness issue on the trail prompted immediate action but he's worried about resources and the future of the county's 3,000 homeless people

The homeless mile-long encampment set up along the Joe Rodota trail has at least 200 people living in it, with around 100 tents

California's growing homeless emergency. Figures as of August 2019, include San Francisco with 8,011 homeless people and San Diego with 8,576

According to CNN, pest control workers installed 340 rat traps throughout the encampment after infrared video from a sheriff's helicopter revealed a major rodent infestation.

'I think it's sad and overwhelming,' pest control technician Matt Dougherty told CNN while speaking about the conditions. 'We're here just to make it better for them.'

County officials have also installed portable toilets along the trail.

Officials said their goal is to close the encampment by January 31. It's unclear if they will meet that deadline.

Sonoma County isn't the only area grappling with the homelessness crisis.

The homeless rate in the entire state of California has surged a staggering 16.4 per cent in the past twelve months.

That means that more than 140,000 California residents are without shelter on any given night - accounting for more than a fifth of the entire homeless population across the United States.

Although the Trump administration has told San Francisco and California to clean up its act, they're unwilling to pay for it.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson rejected a housing aid request from Gov Gavin Newson and mayors from the state's 13 biggest cities.

The request asked for additional resources to fight homelessness, including 50,000 housing vouchers for the poor.