City crews evacuated another homeless encampment Thursday, the latest in a series of troubling locations as the city struggles to house them. Video of the scene was captured as crews entered a storm drainage tunnel in Canoga Park, where individuals excavated temporary living spaces under the streets.
The underground shelter was accessed through a manhole entrance on the sidewalk near the Los Angeles River and Bassett Street, authorities said.
Rangers from the Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority moved to safely remove the residents, place them in temporary housing and close the drainage entrance to prevent future access.
The interior was filled with debris, trash, and human waste, turning the storm system into an unsafe shelter. KTLA reported.
Many unhoused residents face deteriorating city services and later return to abandoned drains, digging deeper instead of seeking help, officials said.
This cleanup comes just days after another recent operation in South Los Angeles.
This South Los Angeles location, near West 88th Street and South Grand Avenue, has been used intermittently as an overnight shelter by those looking to avoid street exposure.
Neighbors surrounding these underground camps have long complained of crime, vandalism, and drug activity pouring from hidden tunnels and above-ground tent communities.
A nearby resident told KTLA that the situation is “terrible” and that officials could do more to protect the neighborhood.
The city has long struggled to address its sprawling homeless crisis.
At least $2.6 billion in taxpayer money has been spent purchasing and renovating hotels, motels, and dormitories for the large unhoused population of the United States. City and county since 2020.
All properties were purchased for $1.3 billion from Governor Gavin Newsom Home Key Initiativewhich will then be renovated using another $1.3 billion in funding from the City and County of Los Angeles.