Encino Residents Criticize City's 'Temporary' RV Encampment Shuffling

Neighborhood groups say recent cleanups near Balboa Park offer only short-term relief, fail to address long-term issues.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:10pm

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Residents in Encino, Los Angeles are expressing growing frustration with the city's handling of RV encampments and homeless individuals near Balboa Boulevard. While a recent cleanup operation removed 250,000 tons of debris from the area, the issue of people living in vehicles remains unresolved, with the city opting to simply relocate the RVs rather than conduct full enforcement sweeps.

Why it matters

The ongoing RV and homeless encampment issues in Encino highlight the challenges cities face in balancing public safety, sanitation, and compassionate treatment of unhoused individuals. Residents are calling for more permanent solutions, while the city's piecemeal approach has only pushed the problem to neighboring areas.

The details

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Fire Department and local groups cleared a significant amount of garbage and debris near the Balboa Sports Center, and housing was offered to dozens of individuals living in the bushes. However, the problem of RVs and vehicles housing the homeless persists, with the city opting to simply put up 'no parking' signs for a scheduled enforcement action on Friday rather than conducting a full sweep. As a result, many vehicles simply relocated to the park's parking lot or into surrounding residential streets, with those who decline shelter offers often moving to the neighboring Van Nuys area.

  • Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Fire Department and various neighborhood groups cleared a significant section of the park near the Balboa Sports Center.
  • For a scheduled enforcement action on Friday, the city opted to put up 'no parking' signs rather than conducting a full enforcement sweep.

The players

Los Angeles Fire Department

The city's fire department that participated in the recent cleanup operation near Balboa Park.

Encino Neighborhood Groups

Local community organizations that have been vocal in criticizing the city's handling of the RV and homeless encampment issues in the area.

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What’s next

City services and local residents are expected to gather later this morning to address the ongoing sidewalk cleanups. While the city continues its scheduled maintenance, neighborhood groups are pushing for a more permanent enforcement strategy regarding the RVs that have become a fixture of the Balboa area.

The takeaway

The ongoing RV and homeless encampment issues in Encino highlight the challenges cities face in balancing public safety, sanitation, and compassionate treatment of unhoused individuals. Residents are calling for more permanent solutions, while the city's piecemeal approach has only pushed the problem to neighboring areas, underscoring the need for a comprehensive, long-term strategy to address this complex issue.