A MAYOR in a major US state has vowed to get tough on drivers whose vehicles are towed.
The move could affect hundreds of homeless people who either choose or are forced to live in vans and cars.
The city official has sparked anger among homeless people after putting forward radical plans to make it more expensive – and more difficult – for any driver whose RV is towed.
At present, motorists in Portland can retrieve their towed vehicle from a lock-up if they show proof of ownership within 30 days.
But now Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland, has told the city council he wants to clean up the city and dramatically reduce the number of people living in RVs and cars on the side of the road.
He plans to do this by charging anyone who has their vehicle towed a $300 fee for its release.
His plans have been met with fierce opposition in the city.
Heather Smith, who has been homeless for the past 16 years, condemned the plans and called for more shelters to be built in the city.
Speaking to Fox12 Oregon, Heather, who is currently sleeping in a tent but used to live in an RV, said: “There’s not a lot of people who can [pay those fees].
“A lot of people are going to lose their vehicles, they’re going to lose their home.”
One lock-up owner told the news outlet the fees and costs to motorists and the city could amount to hundreds of dollars.
Mayor Wilson has reportedly refused to build more shelters in the city as he “does not believe people should live in RVs” but Heather vehemently disagrees with this.
“I think people should have a choice,” she said. “If somebody wants to live in an RV .. you don’t have to have four walls to have a home.”
More people living in RVs
In the past 10 years, more and more people have been living in cars and vans in the US, either through lifestyle choices or due to the rising cost of living.
In 2024, approximately 771,480 people experienced homelessness in the United States, a 18 per cent increase from the previous year, according to recent figures.
One driver who has lived in his van for over six years claims that the process can be started with little income and supplies for those looking to house themselves on the open road.
Influencer and YouTuber Chrome, otherwise known as Vancity Vanlife (@vancityvanlife), noted in a recent video that sleeping in his car started out of necessity rather than adventure.
The expert traveler and builder took to social media to share what he’s learned over the years and showed prospective van-living viewers how to complete a simple project.
For more related content, check out The U.S. Sun’s coverage of a woman who travels the country and lives inside her Toyota Camry.
The U.S. Sun also has the story on the biggest stumbling block a person forced to live in their vehicle said they found in the process.
