Malibu Clears Sweetwater Mesa Homeless Encampment

MALIBU, CA — Officials earlier this month cleared a homeless encampment adjacent to the Sweetwater Mesa neighborhood.

City staff worked with the TreePeople Land Trust on March 5 to clear the encampment, which included "large amounts" of wooden pallets, tarps, desks, wagons, clothes and other debris, according to city officials.

"The people living at the site were offered services and housing assistance. City staff continues to work with our state, county, and community partners to ensure homeless encampments are being addressed in a proactive, service-oriented manner," City Manager Steve McClary wrote.

After sites are cleared, city officials monitor the area to ensure encampments are not set up in the area again, according to the city.

During the 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count earlier this year, 51 homeless people were counted in Malibu, a 30 percent decline from 2023.