Central California Homless Camps Aren’t as Uncommon as You Might Think
While the sheer size of the homeless community in Central California recently prompted the setup to make headlines, homelessness in California is unfortunately not uncommon.
Source: CBS News Sacramento/YouTube
The state is currently home to 28% percent of all of the homeless population that resides in the United States, according to the Senate Housing Committee. While the concern has always been pervasive, there was a surge between 2019-2020.
Welcome to Modesto, CA
A moderately-sized river bank community has emerged in Modesto, California. The bustling metropolis, home to both farming and corporate communities, is now home to something else: deep, underground caves.
Source: Canva
Locals and officials found homeless people living in trash and drug-filled caves along the riverbank recently, requiring a clear out.
How Were These Caves Made?
While it might be difficult to imagine, the construction of these caves were reportedly sophisticated for the given materials and settings.
Source: ABC10/YouTube
New York Post journalists reported that the living areas were created with trash, leftover construction supplies, and old furniture. Drug paraphernalia and other items were found surrounding the area.
A Life Underground
These homes weren’t just constructed along the river bank in the shallow areas of the land. Instead, they were dug straight down, leading to deep underground homes for these Modesto residents.
Source: CBS News Sacramento / YouTube
Some of the makeshift homes were as deep as 20 feet. They were made accessible by hand-carved mud stairs going down into the earth.
The Police Intervene
While severe to others outside of the area, citizens and officers of Modesto stated that this didn’t come as a surprise to them.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The New York Post quoted the Modesto Police Department in a formal statement: “This particular area has been plagued by vagrancy and illegal camp, which have raised concerns due to the fact that these camps were actually caves.”
More Than Inconvenience
Homeless advocates affirm that those experiencing homelessness are worthy of support and care until the situation improves.
Source: iDigit4/YouTube
While many citizens may agree, their empathy was met with equal levels of concern for hygiene and disease control due to the high amounts of trash found in the area.
How Much Trash Was There, Exactly?
The New York Post notes that there were over 7,000 pounds of trash taken from the site when the camps were disbanded.
Source: CBS 8 San Diego/YouTube
The equivalent amount, per the New York Post, is about two trucks and a fully loaded trailer of trash alone. This may or may not include construction materials or furniture used in the encampment.
The Logistical Process: Creating an Underground World
Many viewers and readers can’t understand the logistical process behind creating such an underground world.
Source: ABC 10 News/YouTube
Volunteers that disbanded the encampment affirmed this, per the New York Post. “We had a hard time figuring out how they got so much stuff down in there, considering how hard it was to get it up the hill and out,” said volunteer Chris Guptill.
Stepping Into a World Unknown
Local residents, such as Tracy Rojas, an informant for the New York Post, stated that they were concerned due to the possibility of collapse.
Source: New York Post/YouTube
Ms. Rojas noted that she saw that the caves were furnished and that there were even wall hooks, decor, and more.
Pulling Together
Ms. Rojas confirmed to The Post: “There needs to be more emphasis on the homeless…they are desperate.”
Source: Invisible People/YouTube
Other volunteers told The Post they believe that the homeless will return, especially as they recognized a few familiar faces. The Post confirms that the police are working with the community to re-home the homeless and support all involved.
Could This Be a Good Long-Term Solution?
While this situation isn’t ideal, agencies are working to provide as much notice and support as possible. The Post confirms that dwellers were given notice prior to the clearout occurring.
All Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting/YouTube
Mr. Guptill, a volunteer, doesn’t know that filling the caves is the answer, however. He noted that he participated in a 2022 cleanup in the same location and situation.