Amid rising rents and a critical housing shortage, thousands of Bay Area residents have turned to recreational vehicles (RVs) as one of the few affordable housing options available. The trend has intensified across California, where soaring housing costs and limited availability have forced even full-time workers out of traditional homes and into makeshift accommodations. Santa Clara County, known for its tech giants like Apple and Google, has seen a dramatic increase in individuals living full-time in RVs. Data indicates that the percentage of homeless individuals residing in vehicles has skyrocketed from 18% in 2019 to 37% in 2025.
California is home to nearly a quarter of the nation’s homeless population, despite comprising only 12% of the total U.S. population, according to federal housing statistics. Experts warn that the state is facing a severe housing crisis, with a McKinsey estimate suggesting California requires an additional 3.5 million homes to meet growing demand. While efforts to expand shelter capacity have been made, federal data reveals a sharp deficit, with far fewer shelter beds than those in need, resulting in many individuals lacking adequate shelter options. “In California, you’re more likely to become homeless than almost any other state,” noted Adrian Covert, senior vice president of public policy for the Bay Area Council.
RVs appeal to many who seek autonomy that shelters cannot provide. Salena Alvarez, who has lived in an RV with her boyfriend for over a year, shared her perspective: “The RV was a lot better… You can’t cook, you can’t wash your dishes, you can’t take a shower, you can’t go to the bathroom. You’ve got to go somewhere.” As traditional housing options dwindle, a new facet of the crisis has emerged: “vanlords,” individuals who lease aging RVs to those with limited alternatives. Renters often pay hundreds of dollars monthly to occupy a vehicle parked on public streets without formal agreements or tenant protections, raising concerns among lawmakers about exploitation.
David Cohen, a city councilmember in San Jose, criticized vanlording practices, stating, “These are folks who are using our public streets for revenue… to make money without any kind of permitting.” The issue of RV homelessness persists, with municipalities across the Bay Area ramping up parking enforcement, issuing citations, and towing vehicles.
In response to this crisis, San Jose has opened the Berryessa Safe Parking Site, converting an empty lot into a designated space for RVs. Operated by a local nonprofit and funded by a municipal grant, the site provides amenities such as showers and laundry facilities while connecting residents with caseworkers to facilitate their transition to permanent housing. Despite its success, the demand for safe parking greatly exceeds available spaces-notably, San Jose has only 128 designated spots for a population of nearly 1,000 individuals living in vehicles.
While other Bay Area cities have attempted similar initiatives, success has varied. San Francisco’s attempt to host a safe parking site faced challenges, including infrastructure issues, leading to its eventual shutdown. Meanwhile, the privately operated Candlestick RV Park has shifted from a tourist destination to a long-term residence for many, highlighting the need for affordable housing solutions.
Rethinking mobile home and RV parks could be essential for alleviating California’s housing shortage, according to Covert. He emphasized that properly managed RV parks should be integrated into the housing strategy, stating, “We aren’t likely, in the near term, to have enough transitional or interim housing to move everybody indoors.” As individuals like Alvarez seek stability amid uncertainty, cities may need to recognize RVs as a crucial part of the housing landscape, rather than an anomaly.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/how-rvs-became-silicon-valleys-housing-safety-net.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-20 18:00:00
