Tents have returned along Wilshire Boulevard, just east of where an Inside Safe operation was held last May on San Vicente Boulevard. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

The city of Los Angeles is providing resources and working to find housing for people living in tents that have popped up along the north side of Wilshire Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard.

The effort comes after the city removed tents along the medians on San Vicente Boulevard last May as part of Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe program. Under the mayor’s approach, encampments and tents are only removed after resources are provided and housing is found for people living in them. The city also conducts follow-up visits when people return to the sites.

Approximately 10 tents are scattered along the sidewalk on Wilshire Boulevard, east of San Vicente Boulevard. Staff members from Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky’s office have been contacting people staying in the tents to offer help, and the city will be conducting periodic cleaning operations known as CARE+.

“Our office is aware of the new encampments, and have visited the individuals living there to offer services,” Yaroslavsky’s spokesman Leo Daube said. “We will be scheduling a CARE+ clean up as soon as weather permits to minimize the impact of the encampment to the surrounding community until we can identify interim housing for the unhoused individuals living there.”

Some of the tents are located in front of the 99 Cents Only store at 6121 Wilshire Blvd. west of Fairfax Ave. Assistant manager Luis Gomez said the tents come and go. He empathized with people living on the streets, but said the situation creates problems. Trash is often strewn along the sidewalk. The store’s front door was locked and boarded on Feb. 21 because someone smashed the glass. Gomez didn’t know who was responsible and said the door will be fixed soon.

“It was raining, so I understand that they were looking for shelter,” Gomez said, adding that the city conducted a cleanup operation on Feb. 16 but the tents returned. “When we call the city, they do come and clean up. But they keep coming back, the regular guys who live around the area. It’s become something that’s regular, that you don’t want to see. But at the same time, we try to have empathy for them, especially during this cold.”

No timeline was provided as to when housing might be identified. Daube said work to address the situation is ongoing.