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.
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 station aired a video on March 11, 2026, that included brief on-camera interviews with residents who voiced outrage about how close the tents are to their homes.
What the City Says and How It Responds
The City of Los Angeles has been conducting what it calls “encampment resolution” operations that focus on moving people into housing instead of relying only on repeated cleanups, according to the City of Los Angeles. 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. City materials describe these operations as combining outreach, housing offers, and sanitation work in coordinated efforts to clear hazardous encampments.
Neighbors Call for Consistent Outreach
Neighbors told FOX 11 Los Angeles they want ongoing outreach and sanitation visits rather than occasional cleanups that come and go. Several residents emphasized that the building is home largely to older adults, which heightens their anxiety, and they said any response should account for the safety of both the tenants and the people living outdoors.
Local reporting has chronicled recurring encampment tensions in Boyle Heights, including worries about trash buildup and the use of public space in areas around Hollenbeck Park. Those stories highlight the neighborhood’s longer struggle to juggle services, safety, and housing solutions, according to Boyle Heights Beat.
