A fire broke out beneath a section of Interstate 10 in Los Angeles, leading to the evacuation of at least 16 homeless people.
Apex had also subleased the land to six other companies without permission.
The fire, likely caused by arson, spread quickly due to these materials.
The incident has led to renewed criticism of the city's handling of homelessness.
The land under the freeway was leased to Apex Development Inc., which had stored flammable materials there, contrary to the lease agreement.
A fire that broke out beneath a section of Interstate 10 in Los Angeles has led to the evacuation of at least 16 homeless people, including a pregnant woman. The incident has drawn attention to the city's inability to protect the thousands of unhoused residents living in such perilous locations across the city. The fire damaged a section of Interstate 10, a key thoroughfare used by hundreds of thousands daily. The land under the freeway was leased to Apex Development Inc., which had stored flammable materials there, contrary to the lease agreement. The fire, likely caused by arson, spread quickly due to these materials. Prior to the fire, the state had sued Apex for $78,000 in unpaid rent. Apex had also subleased the land to six other companies without permission. The property where the fire started was leased by Apex Development Inc., which has been in litigation with the state over back rent and unauthorized subletting. The company claims it had complained to city officials about fires started by homeless people on or near the property. The state believes the fire was caused by arson in an area that Apex was responsible for maintaining. The incident has led to renewed criticism of the city's handling of homelessness. The fire, which caused significant damage to the freeway infrastructure, has put pressure on Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the issue of homelessness and to investigate the cause of the fire.
The issue of homeless encampments under highways in California, particularly in Los Angeles and San Francisco, has been a contentious one. Recent incidents such as this fire and the removal of homeless encampments in San Francisco ahead of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference have highlighted the issue. Critics argue that the state's policy of not removing encampments unless there are enough free or subsidized studio apartments for every individual currently camping is not effective. During the conference, the city of San Francisco suspended access to one of its only walk-in homeless shelters to make the beds available for unhoused people living on the sidewalks in the area of the event. Some argue that shelters, not costly studio apartments with supportive services, should be the solution to homeless encampments.
The property where the fire started was leased by Apex Development Inc., which has been in litigation with the state over back rent and unauthorized subletting.
The company claims it had complained to city officials about fires started by homeless people on or near the property.
The state believes the fire was caused by arson in an area that Apex was responsible for maintaining.
The author criticizes the state's policy of not removing encampments unless there are enough free or subsidized studio apartments for every individual currently camping.
The city of San Francisco suspended access to one of its only walk-in homeless shelters during the conference to make the beds available for unhoused people living on the sidewalks in the area of the event.
The author argues that shelters, not costly studio apartments with supportive services, should be the solution to homeless encampments.
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The author argues that shelters, not costly studio apartments with supportive services, should be the solution to homeless encampments.
The author criticizes the state's policy of not removing encampments unless there are enough free or subsidized studio apartments for every individual currently camping.
A fire broke out beneath a section of Interstate 10 in Los Angeles, leading to the evacuation of at least 16 homeless people, including a pregnant woman.
The incident has drawn attention to the city's inability to protect the thousands of unhoused residents living in such perilous locations across the city.