free html hit counter Driver rages he ‘doesn’t plan on leaving’ after instant citywide parking ban approved despite 1,000s of complaints – My Blog

Driver rages he ‘doesn’t plan on leaving’ after instant citywide parking ban approved despite 1,000s of complaints

AN RV driver has vowed to snub a controversial new citywide parking ban which has angered opponents.

Hundreds of struggling homeless families will no longer be allowed to live in their vehicles in San Francisco.

White camper van parked on a city street.
Getty

San Francisco has banned homeless people from living in RVs[/caption]

Row of RVs and cars parked along a street.
Alamy

The RV ban will restrict large vehicles from parking for more than two hours anywhere in San Francisco[/caption]

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a ban on long-term RV parking on Tuesday, reported NPR affiliate, KALW.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said last month that the plan would help “clean the streets.”

But yesterday’s approval prompted one homeless man to declare he would refuse to move his vehicle.

Zach Bollinger, who lives in his RV, said: “We don’t plan on leaving at all because we’ve been here for years.”

Board of supervisors president Rafael Mandelma said last month: “For far too long, neighborhoods across San Francisco have borne the impacts of unregulated RV encampments — illegal dumping, blocked sidewalks, and public safety concerns.

“This legislation creates a humane pathway for current RV residents to find stable housing, while making it clear that new RV encampments will not be allowed and our streets will not continue to serve as shelter of last resort.”

But, there has been a mixed reaction from residents after the plan was given the green light.

One concerned opponent asked on social media, “So the big question is who will make coffee and fast food when they chase everyone away?

“Who will be left to take care of the elite? If a worker can’t afford to live where they work, then the whole area will lose its foundation and fail.

“The bottom line is no company can run without its lowest paid employees.


“Instead of backing all these useless CEOs and their out-of-control wages, we need to invest in making sure lower wage folks can actually survive.”

But one supporter wrote, “Well, if everyone else has to follow parking rules, so do they,” while a woman said she found it “creepy” walking past RVs in her neighborhood.

SHELTERS

Another praised the mayor for doing a “great job” by “cleaning up the city.”

However, one man suggested, “I’d rather see RVs than homeless on city streets.”

The RV ban means that large vehicles will be restricted from parking for more than two hours anywhere in San Francisco, 24/7.

Although there are 437 RVs used by homeless families to live in permanently, just 65 housing vouchers will be provided by the city to stay in traditional accommodation.

The Coalition on Homelessness said the remainder would be placed in shelters.

What are San Francisco’s new rules for RVs?

San Francisco has approved a two-hour parking limit citywide for all RVs and oversized vehicles longer than 22 feet or higher than 7 feet, regardless of whether they are being used as housing.

Two-hour parking restrictions for large vehicles will be enforced citywide, with the exception of commercial vehicles actively loading or when parking in industrial zones.

Vehicles without a valid large vehicle refuge permit will be subject to citation and potential towing in order to ensure safe, accessible streets.

Jennifer Friedenbach, the campaign group’s executive director, said after the vote that approval had been granted despite 4,000 letters of opposition being sent to the board.

She added: “It’s pretty unprecedented that we have a board of supervisors that don’t listen to that.”

To help those who wish to remain in their vehicles, the coalition plans to push local officials into approving permits for all RV residents.

ACCESS

Mayor Lurie said last month, “This legislation combines compassion with accountability, offering a clear path to housing while restoring safety, cleanliness, and accessibility to our streets and public spaces.

“No child should grow up in San Francisco forced to live in a car.

“And no parent should have to raise their child in those conditions.

“Under my administration, we are going to give families better options, and we are going to give our communities and small businesses safe and clean streets.”

HUNDREDS OF RVS

The ban comes after the Healthy Streets Operation Center checked the number of large vehicles permanently parked in streets in May.

This found that 501 large vehicles were parked regularly on city streets in San Francisco.

Of these RVs, 437 are currently being used for dwelling.

The mayor was adamant that the plan would help hundreds of families living in vehicles to access stable housing.

It would also prevent RV and vehicular homelessness, and reclaim public spaces for communities across the city, he added.

The mayor has proposed $13 million over two fiscal years within his budget for rapid rehousing subsidies, along with a vehicle buyback program, and outreach and enforcement resources.

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