Bans Targeting Houseless People Living out of Vehicles By Kenyon Santana
When discussing the issues facing houseless people, many will overlook the significant population that live in a car or RV. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, houseless people living out of a motor vehicle as unsheltered; the same as people living on the street, in abandoned buildings, and the wilderness. Living out of a vehicle introduces significant hurdles when trying to use the restroom, prepare meals, and maintain one's hygiene without the proper facilities. On top of that, finding places to park a vehicle adds a new layer of stress for houseless people as the threat of being ticketed, or towed, is a financial burden many would be unprepared to face.
Burton, D. (2020). White rv trailer on green grass field during daytime [Graphic]. https://unsplash.com/photos/white-rv-trailer-on-green-grass-field-during-daytime-pZpzLUxWXs8
Why then, is Portland trying to make it more difficult for houseless people living out of their cars?
In may of 2024, the Portland City Council approved a public camping ordinance, banning camping on public property or the public right-of-way if a houseless person has access to alternative forms of shelter. This ordinance then began enforcement in July of 2024. (City of Portland Camping Ordinance | Portland.Gov, n.d.) What many did not know when the Portland City Council initially attempted to ban all daytime ( 8am - 8pm) camping in 2023 was that the ban also included those stated to be ‘camping’ in their vehicle. (Best, 2023) While the daytime camping ban was enjoined by a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge, the current ban on camping on public property is, unfortunately, in effect and it too bans sleeping in ones car if the area it is on is considered public property or right-of-way.
Other local governments enacting similar legislation
Portland is far from alone in this measure; many cities across the United States ban sleeping in cars or similar measures that through indirect means punish and criminalize houseless people who resort to living from a vehicle. In July of this year San Francisco passed into legislation a ban on RVs parking for more than two hours on city streets. (Newman, 2025) While the legislation also includes subsidies for interim housing, why must any support for houseless people (time and time again) only come tied with punitive measures against them for their current living conditions?
Works Cited
City of Portland Camping Ordinance | Portland.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.portland.gov/sscc/camping-ordinance
Best, B. (2023, June 14). Daytime camping ban in Portland brings new challenges for homeless people in vehicles. Kgw.Com. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/vehicles-included-portland-daytime-camping-ban/283-4e21f457-6ab3-4980-bcf8-fcc3c3b5a629
Newman, M. (2025, July 29). S.F. mayor signs sweeping bill banning RV parking. Mission Local. https://missionlocal.org/2025/07/s-f-mayor-signs-sweeping-bill-banning-rv-parking/
Burton, D. (2020). White rv trailer on green grass field during daytime [Graphic]. https://unsplash.com/photos/white-rv-trailer-on-green-grass-field-during-daytime-pZpzLUxWXs8
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