A MAJOR city is set to ban certain drivers from parking for over two hours under a new plan.
The change, which will be implemented citywide, has just one more step before it becomes effective.
RV drivers in a major could be set for a citywide ban from parking for over two hours under a new plan[/caption]
The plan was voted to move forward and includes a proposed investment to those who are homeless[/caption]
According to a report by ABC7, RVs will be eliminated from city streets – regardless of the time of day.
The city’s Budget and Finance Committee voted to move the plan forward – much to the contempt of RV residents and community advocates.
Now their future is in the hands of three supervisors leading the committee.
One RV resident, Lucy, told reporters she hopes the panel will reject the mayor’s plan.
She said: “I call my home my tiny beautiful home.
“We are not hurting anybody. We are not costing the city anything.”
This comes as, back in May, the city identified 437 RVs with people living in them.
Many of them are housing people who lost their jobs during the pandemic and couldn’t afford rent – with their RVs acting as their only residence.
Jose Rivas, who’s one of them, said: “It is difficult. It is too narrow. I’m still in the RV.”
He has a 22-month-old daughter and is not only concerned for his safety – also for his entire family.
Kunal Modi, chief of health at the Homelessness and Family Services Department, weighed in: “The proliferation of large vehicles has led to blocked sidewalks, compromised traffic circulation and health hazards that impact our neighborhoods.
“These are real challenges that residents and businesses experience daily.”
NEW PLAN
As part of the city’s new plan, RV residents will be given a permit to park on the streets for up to six months – while they go through the housing process.
Emily Cohen, with the SF Homelessness and Supportive Housing Department, said: “We are deploying a dedicate peer-based outreach team comprised of people with lived experiences of vehicular homelessness.
“The role will be to engage people living in large vehicles, assess their needs, determine their homelessness status and connect them with housing resources.”
However, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing has said in the past that they don’t have enough housing for everyone in an RV.
“I’m very disappointed to see on page 44 the listing that says the proposed 65 rapid rehousing slots may not be sufficient to provide housing for all eligible large vehicles dwellers,” said Lukas Illa with the SF Coalition on Homelessness.
“Will not, will not. Then they list the up to 50 existing rapid rehousing and the rest of those in that list.
“That is all through coordinated entry. None of the people here today in vehicles qualify through coordinated entry because they are already enrolled in coordinated entry.
“They have been waiting years for a housing slot.”
The plan, though, was voted to move forward and includes a proposed investment of $13 million over two fiscal years.
This will help fund options like housing vouchers, outreach services and investment in hotel vouchers.
Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the SF Coalition on Homelessness, said: “We are going to keep fighting and bringing up the voices of folks who in RVs. A lot of the people have been trying to get out of RVs.”
It now moves to the full board of supervisors for a final vote.
Tips for traveling in an RV
Whether in a big or small rig, there are a few things every traveler should know before hitting the road
Having a home on wheels is a great way to save money and travel safely, but there are a few things that should be addressed before traveling long distances and parking for extended periods.
- Consider the location. Different regions and climates present different challenges, like warm days but cold nights, persistent rain and humidity, or extremely dry air. Knowing what you’re driving into can help make the stay more comfortable.
- Factor in costs and prepare. How much are RV campsites? Average fuel costs? Are there laundromats nearby that accept credit or debit cards? Are there hardware stores close by in case something breaks? How about RV insurance?
- Be flexible. As always when traveling, it’s important to plan, but travelers must stay flexible when things go unexpectedly.
- Pack lightly. Even though an RV is a home on wheels, a small space will quickly teach travelers how to organize items by what’s necessary and what’s convenient.
- Consider the weather. Pack according to the weather, and take note that insulation in an RV isn’t as effective as insulation in a house. Always bring extra items to keep warm or cool.
Source: Progressive Auto Insurance
