Published on Mar. 12, 2026
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Seniors living in a Boyle Heights apartment complex say a newly formed tent encampment right next to their building has them feeling unsettled. Residents report that the encampment has expanded in recent days and now sits close enough that tents and activity are plainly visible from their windows and shared common areas. Their concerns mirror broader unease among older Angelenos who find themselves living next to makeshift shelters.
Why it matters
The situation in Boyle Heights highlights the ongoing challenges many communities face in balancing the needs of vulnerable residents, both housed and unhoused. As encampments continue to crop up across Los Angeles, tensions often arise between longtime residents and those living outdoors, raising questions about how to address homelessness in a compassionate yet pragmatic way.
The details
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, tenants described the encampment as adjacent to the senior building and said it has been growing in size. The City of Los Angeles has been conducting ‘encampment resolution’ operations that focus on moving people into housing instead of relying only on repeated cleanups. Data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority shows a decrease in unsheltered counts in the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, although officials say targeted outreach remains necessary to address persistent encampment locations.
The encampment has expanded in recent days.On March 11, 2026, FOX 11 Los Angeles aired a video that included brief on-camera interviews with residents.
The players
City of Los Angeles
The local government conducting ‘encampment resolution’ operations that focus on moving people into housing instead of relying only on repeated cleanups.
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
The organization that provides data showing a decrease in unsheltered counts in the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, although officials say targeted outreach remains necessary to address persistent encampment locations.
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What’s next
The City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority say they will continue their ‘encampment resolution’ efforts, which combine outreach, housing offers, and sanitation work to address the persistent encampment in Boyle Heights.
The takeaway
This situation in Boyle Heights underscores the complex challenges many communities face in addressing homelessness, as the needs and concerns of both housed and unhoused residents must be carefully balanced. Ongoing, coordinated efforts that provide housing solutions and support services will be crucial to finding a sustainable resolution.