RVs as a Housing Solution in Silicon Valley

In the Bay Area, a significant number of residents have turned to recreational vehicles (RVs) as a viable housing option due to soaring rents and a chronic housing shortage. The number of individuals living in vehicles has more than doubled since the pandemic, with Santa Clara County reporting that 37% of its homeless population now resides in vehicles, up from 18% in 2019. California, which houses nearly a quarter of the nation’s homeless despite only 12% of the population, faces a dire housing crisis, with estimates suggesting a need for 3.5 million additional homes to meet demand.

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As traditional housing options dwindle, a shadow rental market has emerged, where individuals, referred to as "vanlords," rent out aging RVs to those with limited choices. Renters often pay hundreds of dollars monthly for a space in a vehicle parked on public streets, typically without formal leases or tenant protections. Critics, including San Jose City Councilmember David Cohen, argue that these arrangements exploit vulnerable individuals, as they lack regulatory oversight. Despite efforts to ban such practices, the underground market persists, and cities have increased parking enforcement without reversing the trend of vehicle homelessness.

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In response to the growing crisis, cities like San Jose have implemented safe parking sites, such as the Berryessa Safe Parking Site, which accommodates 86 RVs and offers essential services like showers and case management. Funded by a city grant and operated by the nonprofit WeHope, the site has successfully placed over 40 residents into permanent housing since its opening in 2025. However, the demand far exceeds supply, with nearly 1,000 individuals living in vehicles within San Jose alone. Other cities, like San Francisco, have struggled with similar initiatives due to infrastructure challenges and operational costs, leading to the closure of designated parking sites.

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RV parks, once primarily tourist accommodations, are increasingly becoming long-term residences for working-class individuals. For example, the Candlestick RV Park in San Francisco has transitioned to housing long-term residents, with rates recently rising to $2,500 per month. Tsin Fung, the park's manager, noted that many tenants are hard-working individuals who struggle to secure traditional leases. This shift reflects broader changes in housing dynamics, as RV parks are reconsidered as potential components of the housing strategy in the region.

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Experts like Adrian Covert from the Bay Area Council emphasize that the historical stigma against mobile home and RV parks must be reevaluated. With insufficient transitional housing options available, well-managed RV parks could play a crucial role in addressing the housing crisis. As cities continue to grapple with the complexities of vehicle homelessness, innovative solutions and supportive measures will be essential to meet the needs of this vulnerable population.

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• “In California, you're more likely to become homeless than almost any other state,” — Adrian Covert, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Bay Area Council

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• “These are folks who are using our public streets for revenue, to make money without any kind of permitting or process to make sure that they're following any rules about what conditions the RVs have to be in, or what rights the person has who rents has,” — David Cohen, City Councilmember, San Jose

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• “This isn't a permanent solution to the housing problem," she said.” — Victoria Garibaldi, Program Manager, WeHope

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• “We've transitioned from basically a tourist park to a long-term park, mainly due to the effects of the pandemic.” — Tsin Fung, RV Park Manager, San Francisco

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