The Dismantling of the Santa Ana Riverbed Homeless Encampment in 2018: A Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to provide the first case study of the Santa Ana riverbed homeless encampment. It contributes valuable information about the little studied factors contributing to the formation and dismantling of transient homeless encampments. It is the first discussion of three reoccurring characteristics of homeless camps: camps form a self-governing system, camps are viewed by the community as unsavory places, and the campers are viewed as being unable or unwilling to participate in normal society. I propose three theories as explanations for these characteristics: the social capital theory as a reason for homeless campers to develop a system of self-government, the aesthetics theory as rationale for camps being viewed as unsavory places, and the theory of vulnerable and inevitable inequality as a reason why campers are seen as being unable or unwilling to participate in normal society. I introduce three hypotheses to assess these theories: The encampment was created because it provided inhabitants a sense of safety and autonomy. It was dismantled due to its highly visible location and lack of adherence to the Orange County consumption and leisure aesthetic. Most homeless people from this encampment relocated approximately thirty miles east to Riverside County to avoid harassment by police. I review interviews with camp inhabitants; fifty-one percent resided in the camp because it gave them a sense of safety and autonomy. I examine Anaheim city council meeting meetings; thirty-eight percent of complaints were related to aesthetic concerns. I analyze population reports from HUD; there was a notable increase in homelessness in Orange County the year after the camp was dismantled. I investigate anti-camping ordinances; Anaheim and Riverside had similar anti-camping ordinances. These results reflect that the social capital theory is an applicable explanation for the homeless being drawn to set up camp as a collective. The aesthetics theory can be used to explain why a third of residents complained about the encampment. Camp residents did not move East to Riverside after the camp was dismantled. Further investigation into the enforcement of anti-camping ordinances needs to be conducted to evaluate if policing contributed to the vulnerability of the homeless.