LA’s decade-long homeless encampment under freeway overpass finally cleared.
Situated underneath a 405 Freeway overpass, one of Los Angeles’s most dangerous homeless encampments—located near Venice Boulevard and Globe Avenue and straddling Culver City and the City of Los Angeles—was cleared Oct. 24 by officials from both cities.
“The Venice and Globe site is a unique challenge because one side of the street is in Culver City and the other side is in the City of Los Angeles,” Culver City Spokesman Dustin Klemann told The Epoch Times.
Now that the encampment is gone, according to Mr. Klemann, Culver City officials are now removing graffiti, creating more lighting, and making other repairs in the area.
Since the encampment began a decade ago, residents of Culver City and the nearby Los Angeles neighborhood of Mar Vista have witnessed drug distribution, fights, arson, and large piles of trash at the site.
On some occasions, pedestrians were prevented from using the sidewalk due to the number of tents at the location.
Since its clearing, an estimated 50 individuals formerly residing there have now been provided with housing and services, according to Culver City officials.
The city, officials say, has invested “heavily” to create housing for the homeless including 157 new units of temporary and permanent supportive housing.
“Culver City’s policy is to lead with care, offering shelter, housing, and services,” Mr. Klemann said.
The clean-up was part of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s so-called Inside Safe program, which she launched along with an emergency order to accelerate and lower costs of temporary homeless housing, shortly after she took office in 2022, to get more homeless in from the streets.
“We are shifting the way the city approaches homelessness, and the Inside Safe initiative represents a change in how we help and house people living in tents and encampments,” Ms. Bass said in a press release announcing the program.
“The new strategy on homelessness I am bringing to City Hall replaces quick fixes with real solutions.”
But since the clearing of encampment, some nearby residents have questioned how long it will take before another homeless encampment replaces it.
According to Venice Neighborhood Council member Soledad Ursua, this is the second time she has noticed a clean-up operation under the busy overpass in recent years.
“They cleared that 405 area not too long ago … it all came back,” she told The Epoch Times.
Homeless encampment clearings in her neighborhood have also occurred, including one which at one point had over 100 homeless individuals living in tents, cars, and run down recreational vehicles. Those removed from that particular encampment, she said, have since spread elsewhere.
“The encampments get cleared but then they just pop up somewhere else,” she said.
According to the 2023 point-in-time count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), homelessness increased in Los Angeles by 9 percent and 10 percent in Los Angeles County compared to 2022.
The homeless population also saw major increases in neighboring San Bernardino County at 26 percent, San Diego County at 22 percent, and Riverside County at 12 percent, according to LAHSA.
Though the encampment’s removal has received a positive response from Culver City residents, one expressed concern for financial accountability from Los Angeles leaders who have spent billions of dollars in recent years to tackle the issue only to see it increase.
“I am grateful for the clean-up as many of these encampments are a danger to the community,” the woman, a Mar Vista resident of 46 years, told The Epoch Times.
“My hope is that there’s true accountability that follows the many dollars that have been allocated for the homeless situation.”
Since the clearing of the encampment, Culver City and Caltrans officials have fenced off the area to begin revitalization projects at the site, which are scheduled to occur over the next few weeks, according to city officials.
What long-term solutions should be implemented to address the root causes of homelessness in Los Angeles and other cities across the United States
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, homelessness has become an even more pressing issue in cities around the world. Los Angeles, California, is no exception. One of the city’s most dangerous homeless encampments, situated near Venice Boulevard and Globe Avenue and straddling Culver City and the City of Los Angeles, has recently been cleared.
The encampment, which was located underneath a 405 Freeway overpass, posed a unique challenge for officials due to its divided jurisdiction. Culver City Spokesman, Dustin Klemann, explained that one side of the street belonged to Culver City while the other side fell under the jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles.
On October 24, officials from both cities came together to clear the encampment. This joint effort aimed to address the safety concerns posed by the encampment’s presence and improve the living conditions for both the homeless individuals and the surrounding community.
Now that the encampment has been cleared, Culver City officials have shifted their focus to revitalizing the area. This includes the removal of graffiti, the installation of additional lighting, and other necessary repairs. These measures are essential in creating a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone in the vicinity.
Homelessness is a complex issue that requires collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. While clearing an encampment is an important step, it is crucial to address the root causes of homelessness and provide long-term support for individuals experiencing homelessness. This can involve initiatives such as affordable housing programs, mental health services, and job training opportunities.
The situation in Los Angeles is not unique. Cities across the United States are grappling with the challenges of homelessness, particularly in light of the economic impacts of the pandemic. It is essential for local governments, community organizations, and individuals to come together to find compassionate and effective solutions that address the needs of homeless individuals and the concerns of the larger community.
In conclusion, the recent clearing of a dangerous homeless encampment near Venice Boulevard and Globe Avenue in Los Angeles marks an important step in improving the safety and livability of the area. However, the issue of homelessness requires ongoing attention and comprehensive solutions that address the underlying causes. By working together, we can create a society that offers support, compassion, and opportunities for all individuals, including those experiencing homelessness.
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