Community Ties Shatter After Van Nuys Homeless Encampment Sweep

The Displacement of the Van Nuys Homeless Encampment

A once-thriving community known as “the Compound” in Van Nuys has been left in disarray following a recent sweep by city officials, LA Sanitation, and law enforcement. For years, this encampment housed over 75 individuals living in tents, forming a close-knit group that supported one another through difficult times. Now, the area is an empty, large concrete slab surrounded by a fence and padlocked, marking the end of a unique community.

The sweep was part of the Inside Safe Program, an initiative aimed at transitioning people from the streets to permanent housing. Residents of the Compound were offered the choice of moving into one of 30 motel rooms or a shelter elsewhere in the San Fernando Valley. While some chose to leave voluntarily, many others were forced to abandon most of their belongings, carrying only what they could manage.

Mayor Karen Bass praised the action, highlighting it as a significant step in reducing homelessness and helping those without homes take their first steps toward stability. However, activists argue that the process may have caused more harm than good.

Carla Orendorff, an organizer for Aetna Street Solidarity, described how the residents of the Compound were dispersed across at least eight different locations, including Sun Valley, Canoga Park, North Hills, and Highland Park. She emphasized that the community had a strong sense of unity, with members supporting each other in times of need. This bond, however, has been shattered by the sweeping actions.

“This breaking up of the Compound seems very intentional,” Orendorff said. “It’s the most fractured scattering of unhoused people I’ve seen since Inside Safe began.”

She noted that the process has been chaotic, with many individuals struggling to access essential items like medication and IDs. Rebuilding a community after such an event is nearly impossible due to the restrictive nature of the Inside Safe program. For instance, residents are often not allowed to have guests, which can include family members. Orendorff has heard reports of married couples being penalized if they attempt to stay together.

Orendorff describes this situation as “enforced isolation,” arguing that the programs fail to consider the importance of long-standing relationships. Activists have also faced challenges when trying to check on friends or deliver holiday cards, with staff calling the police on them.

“I don’t agree with this approach where community is viewed as a threat,” Orendorff said. “These programs aren’t thoughtfully designed for the people who are experiencing homelessness. It’s unfortunate because those individuals could offer valuable insights.”

Advocates have long pushed for staff in these programs to be trained in using Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. People living in encampments have already learned how to use it effectively. When asked about what the Compound meant to them, residents consistently mentioned feeling safe because they had each other watching out for them. This was especially important for women, who made up more than half of the occupants and were led by women.

Orendorff firmly believes that housing is a human right and that no one is born to live on the streets. In 2023, there were over 2,508 deaths among homeless individuals in Los Angeles County, equating to about seven deaths per day. She stresses that having a community is crucial for healing, particularly for those with mental illnesses who need support rather than isolation.

Despite the challenges, Orendorff maintains that the people from the Compound remain a family. She hopes others will understand that community is about people caring for each other, even when it's not convenient. She argues that when governments attack this instinct, it reveals more about the system than the individuals trying to support one another.