Los Angeles Clears Van Nuys Homeless Encampment, Moves 30+ Into Temporary Housing

A longstanding homeless encampment in Van Nuys, housing an estimated 50 to 75 people, was cleared early Thursday morning under Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass's Inside Safe program, which aims to transition unhoused residents into temporary and eventually permanent housing. The encampment, located near the 405 Freeway, had been the site of safety issues including fires and hazardous conditions such as propane canisters, prompting city officials to act for public safety and humanitarian reasons. While more than 30 individuals moved into temporary housing as part of the operation, the clearing drew protests from advocates and residents who criticized the program for insufficient mental health support, food access, and long-term solutions. The Inside Safe initiative has contributed to a nearly 20% decline in street homelessness in Los Angeles over two years, but challenges remain as encampments persist in other areas. City officials, neighborhood councils, and advocacy groups continue to push for a balance between clearing dangerous encampments and providing comprehensive resources to those displaced. The scale of the cleanup involved multiple city crews and machinery, reflecting the complexity of addressing homelessness in the region.