When it comes to homeless encampment cleaning in Montebello, California, you’re probably unsure about where to begin. Homeless encampment cleaning is a very intense job, and it requires people who know how to deal with a lot of the challenges that will come up while managing the cleanup. As the homeless issue grows, we’re going to see more and more homeless encampments popping up throughout the state. Even if the authorities are able to get the encampment residents to leave, cleaning of the vacated space has to be done. Some people think that homeless encampment cleaning requires elbow grease, some decent cleaners, and some tough disinfectants. The cleaning required is a lot more intense, and it requires specific products and cleaning skill levels in order to do it properly.

What Is a Homeless Encampment?

A homeless encampment is a site where two or more people have set up temporary shelter on land or property that doesn’t belong to them. The encampment exists as its own self-contained universe. Encampments can pop up anywhere, including business districts, residential areas, beaches, parks, and pretty much anywhere there’s space. They’re usually big and unwieldy, resulting in an eyesore for people living and working in the community.

How Do Homeless Encampments Make Life Difficult for People Outside of the Encampment?

There are many different ways that homeless encampments make things difficult for people living outside the encampments. If the encampments show up on property owned by businesses, those businesses are not able to conduct business as usual. Many of their clients may feel uncomfortable walking past the encampment to get to their offices. 

If encampments pop up in residential areas, people living in the neighborhoods may feel very uncomfortable coming in and out of their homes. They don’t know who lives in the encampments, and they may feel that their safety is at risk. Encampments are usually quite filthy and they often smell terribly, making it very hard for people outside of the encampments to come within close distance of them. 

Encampments are usually unsightly, creating eyesores in otherwise beautiful areas. Many people may feel empathy for the homeless residents, but they also understand that unregulated encampments are not the answer.

Who’s Responsible for Homeless Encampment Cleaning?

One question that frequently comes up when it comes to cleaning homeless encampments is who exactly is in charge of cleaning them. This question may be something that you’re wondering about, especially if the encampment is located partially on your property and partially on public property. 

If the encampment is located on public property, it’s the responsibility of the city or local government to have the encampment cleaned. If the encampment is located on private business or residential property, it’s the responsibility of the owners of those businesses or homes to have the encampment cleaned. If you’re unclear about the encampment in your area, call your local governing authority and find out who the responsibility falls to. You can also give us a call if you need more help so that we can help you with that process. We have experience with just this very type of issue.

What Type of Waste Is Located at Homeless Encampments?

The biggest issue surrounding homeless encampments is the fact that they’re extremely unsanitary. They’re loaded with all types of trash and waste that can cause serious issues in the community at the camp and the community at large. The waste that causes the most problems is biohazardous waste and other types of infectious waste. 

Biohazardous waste and infectious waste are loaded with microorganisms called pathogens. These pathogens cause diseases in humans, including hepatitis A, HIV, and pneumonia. These pathogens are found in waste light blood, human waste, animal waste, bodily fluids, rotting food, and many other types of matter that you find at homeless encampments. The reason that so many people get sick at homeless encampments is because the pathogens from biohazardous waste and infectious waste are spread so easily. 

There is nowhere for anyone to go to the bathroom, so many of the residents use whatever containers or receptacles they have at hand to relieve themselves. This accumulated human waste can cause an extremely serious health issue. 

Many encampment residents have animals that they don’t walk regularly or are unable to clean up after due to the fact that there are no waste receptacles. That animal waste causes another health issue. Many people who live in homeless encampments use drugs, both illicit and prescribed. They use syringes and needles to take these drugs, after which they simply discard the needles on the ground. Anyone touching these needles or accidentally stepping on them could be exposed to a dangerous bloodborne pathogen. Homeless encampments have often reported outbreaks of diseases like hepatitis A.

What Types of Cleaners Are Needed To Clean Homeless Encampments?

Special tools and cleaners are needed to clean homeless encampments. The most important issue here is making sure that all biohazardous waste and infectious waste is removed and completely eliminated. Once this waste is removed, the cleaners will have to go in and disinfect and sanitize the area to make sure that all pathogens have been removed. OSHA and the EPA have recommended special cleaners, solvents, and deodorizers that are to be used when cleaning up this type of waste. Once the waste is bagged up in special bags that keep the contents sealed inside, the waste will be transported to a special waste facility where it will be destroyed, usually by incineration.

Dealing with homeless encampment cleanup can be very challenging, especially if it’s something that you haven’t done before. Give us a call so that we can help you through the process and let you know what the next step should be.