Woman Found Living in LA Storm Drain as Homeless Crisis Deepens

Residents in south Los Angeles have raised concerns about homeless people living in storm drains near the 110 Freeway. One woman has been found residing in a cramped, unsanitary space inside a sewer off the motorway. The situation highlights ongoing struggles with encampments, waste, and public safety in the Broadway-Manchester area. A woman is currently living in a 10-foot section of a sewer beneath the 110 Freeway. Neighbours describe the area as hazardous, with reports of trash dumping, vandalism, and drug use linked to nearby encampments and parked RVs. The woman, who suffers from mental health issues, has expressed a desire for safer, long-term housing.

City street sweepers have carried out cleanups in the past, including a tent removal operation in September 2025. However, residents say these efforts are superficial, and the problems quickly return. Juan Naula, founder of the volunteer group *Clean LA With Me*, has documented the situation and argues that stricter enforcement is needed to stop people from reoccupying cleared areas. The city has received multiple service requests about the sewer but response times can stretch up to 90 days. Officials now plan to seal and secure the drain where the woman is living. Yet, Naula insists more action is required to address the broader crisis. County-wide homeless counts show 75,312 people without permanent shelter in LA County in 2025, with 43,699 within the city itself.

The city's plan to secure the sewer may resolve one immediate issue, but residents and activists stress the need for long-term solutions. Without sustained intervention, encampments and unsafe living conditions are likely to persist in the area. The situation reflects wider challenges in managing homelessness across Los Angeles.