Homelessness became a crisis in L.A. during the 1980s, but the city struggled to act

Nov. 8, 1982: A freeway underpass resident reads the Wall Street Journal. He and fellow residents, living under Hollywood Boulevard overpass of the 101 Freeway, carried the love seat to their “home.”

Nov. 8, 1982: Homeless living under a 101 Freeway overpass spray painted “The Troll Family” on a wall. Credit: Ken Lubas/Los Angeles Times.

Dec. 5, 1984: A homeless man in sleeping bag, left, lies upon flattened cardboard boxes in a park across the street from Los Angeles City Hall.

Dec. 1, 1984: Tom Kent reads at his settlement across from Los Angeles City Hall at 1st and Spring Streets. Credit: Martha Hartnett/Los Angeles Times.

Dec. 5, 1984: Tom Kent stirs while three other neighbors in cardboard boxes sleep in at Los Angeles City Hall.

Jan. 2, 1984: Tent City is taken down. The temporary homeless shelter was built across Spring St. from Los Angeles City Hall.

Jan. 20, 1987: Kim and Frank Hernandez with their bedding in the aisles of the Los Angeles City Hall Council Chamber. About 150 homeless were admitted into City Hall for the night.