Homeless encampments have surfaced in the Miracle Mile, but local officials say their presence is a citywide issue. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Homeless encampments have popped up near the La Brea Tar Pits and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the city has started the process to provide individuals in those encampments with services.

According to Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz’s office, staff members have requested visits from Comprehensive Cleaning and Rapid Engagement program teams, People Assisting The Homeless and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

“We continue to do outreach and will continue to work with the community and service agencies to provide services, cleanings and seek solutions,” Koretz’s spokeswoman, Alison Simard, said.

Although concerning, representatives of some Miracle Mile community organizations said the encampments being created near some of the area’s most influential cultural institutions are indicative of a bigger, citywide issue.

“This is just a symptom of a much larger problem. … It’s not shocking. It’s what’s going on all over the city,” Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce president Steve Kramer said.

He said he would “love” to see the city and county of Los Angeles “take some action” to assist the individuals staying in the encampments.

“[Those individuals] can’t magically go to an apartment,” Kramer said. “I mean, they need help. By and large, it’s not a matter of choice.”

Miracle Mile Residential Association president Greg Goldin agreed.

“It’s affected our neighborhood, but I don’t think we’re unique,” he said. “It’s a citywide problem, and I think – and I hope I’m right in saying that – the MMRA, we’re very sympathetic to people who don’t have any place to live.”

Goldin said the organization does its best to link individuals experiencing homelessness with available resources.

“I think I speak for the board when I say that our attitude is not that people should simply be swept off the streets,” he added. “It’s not humane, and it’s not an answer. Unfortunately, the city has inadequate tools to address the problem.”

Goldin said that personally, he has had positive encounters with the individuals staying in the encampments so far. He said his family walks Hancock Park daily and converses with the people staying there.

“People can fall into homelessness very, very easily,” Goldin said. “I’m very sympathetic to that.”

Lynda La Rose, Mid City West Neighborhood Council’s Homelessness, Renters Rights and Refugees Committee chair, said she has not seen or heard of any outreach being done with people in the encampments, though the encampments are relatively new.

“I mean, there are a lot of issues at play,” she said, adding that the council may soon look to re-implement programs that supported individuals experiencing homelessness prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There will be different projects that we want to take on,” La Rose added.

Representatives of the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and LACMA did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.