"Trash House" causes concern, frustration for Fairfax neighborhood

A Los Angeles home that has earned the unfortunate name of the "Trash House" has received a massive city response, with cleanup crews working a second day on clearing junk and debris from the front and back yards. 

Thursday morning, Mayor Karen Bass held a news conference outside the Fairfax home thanking the city crews for their hard work and also showing concern for the man who lives there.

"I am so concerned about the gentleman that lived in this situation, I'm horrified to think of what is happening inside that house. Obviously we are just dealing with outside," Bass said. 

Just south of the hustle and bustle of Melrose Avenue, in the 600 block of Martel Avenue sits the "Trash House" between a handful of large, newly built houses.    

For the past decade, piles of bags filled with what looks like empty cleaning supplies, clothing, and random household junk sat outside the home, leaving the neighborhood frustrated and concerned for the homeowner.

"Sometimes, when I pass by, especially after the rain, you can see some of it seeping into the street," neighbor Manny Berrios. "As far as I know, nothing seems to be getting done about it. It's just kind of a burden on the eyes if you ask me."

The city and a district representatives were informed of the situation, and several different city agencies were flagged to help and get involved with the neighborhood. 

Wednesday afternoon, the City of Los Angeles declared the property an "imminent health and safety hazard." 

Shortly after that declaration, crews were out with shovels and rakes with a trash truck and other hauling trucks, tackling the seemingly endless mounds of trash bags and debris.

Cleanup continued at the home Thursday morning, where rats were spotted among the mess.

Property records show the same person has owned the home for nearly 30 years. A neighbor who wished to remain anonymous said he knows who lives there. 

"It's an eyesore but he is a sweet man," the neighbor said. "I feel bad for somebody who is a sweet person but obviously has some mental health issues."

Mayor Bass said the Department of Mental Health met with the homeowner Wednesday. "I certainly hope they will be back today (Thursday) because we need to make sure that he is taken care of as well. This is not a normal situation, this didn't happen overnight," Bass said.

The city's Building and Safety Department cited the homeowner in 2014 for violations, including garbage on the property, excessive vegetation, open storage, and no driveway access. 

The city eventually cleaned up the mess, leaving the homeowner with the bill. 

"I have lived in the area for like 12 years and the house has been like this pretty much the entire time I have been here," the neighbor said. "It was cleaned up once and then it returned to the state that it is in."

When Mayor Bass was asked the plan to keep this most recent trash buildup from happening again, she said, "We need to take care of this gentleman … this is an individual in crisis from my point of view."

KCAL News tried to call the homeowner but did not get a response.