Illegal RV Camping Residents Evicted in Sylmar

Photo: Morris MacMatzen/Getty Images

This Sunday, residents who occupy the backyard of a house in the Sylmar area with their mobile homes were evicted.

From the street, it does not appear that a residence located in the 14000 block of Hubbard Street had vehicles on its land, but in the backyard you can count more than 20 parked RVs.

Since last week, various local agencies determined that vehicles should be marked with red tags, not suitable for occupancyso power was shut off at the property because they posed a hazard.

A judge ruled Tuesday that the trailer park should be vacated.

The owner of the house, the Hispanic Cruz Godoy, was accused of illegally establishing the camp and of not maintaining the minimum sanitary and safety conditions. The owner pleaded not guilty to the two misdemeanor charges Wednesday, and she is due back in court in early August.

According to reports, the people who occupied the illegal trailer park paid between $500 and $800 per month to Godoy for a room in the vehicles. According to the landlord, some people have not paid her rent for months.

Despite being considered illegal, some residents praised Godoy's move for his work because it the high rental rates in Los Angeles and California in general, people have no choice but to live in illegal encampments.

“Obviously it's not up to code standards, but I think what you're doing is great. She is helping them," said Manny Femat, Godoy's maintenance manager.

On the other hand, Residents of neighboring houses to Godoy's were relieved that the illegal encampment will be closed and they believe the homeowner was taking advantage of vulnerable people.

“The smell is unbearable, there is a lot of loud music, a lot of fights. I don't know what's going on back there. This shows you how low people can become, enriching themselves with people who have nothing,” Heréndira Loza, a neighboring resident, told the KTLA network.

Loza said she sided with RV residents knowing how difficult it can be to find affordable housing, but she also felt that they can find something with better conditions than what is found in the RV yard.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Mónica Rodríguez said that his office prepared for eviction by seeking housing options for evictees.

This Sunday morning, people were observed packing their belongings in vehicles in front of the residence where the illegal camp was located.

At the moment, it is unknown if Cruz Godoy is going to abandon the property.

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