Mile-long RV encampment symbolizes growing housing crisis in Bay Area 

Landlords charge as much as they can, and employers pay as little as they can. What do you expect?

As a trucker who drives all over the country I am seeing this absolutely everywhere now…if people only knew how bad it is. The price of everything has forced people into poverty.. it’s sad.

📍To my own research In USA, individuals living in cars due to partial homelessness result from a complex interplay of factors. High housing costs relative to income, stagnant wages, and income inequality drive this issue. Job loss, weak social support, medical expenses, evictions, and lack of affordable housing also contribute, while systemic problems and inadequate policies further perpetuate the phenomenon.

I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for...

These are the lucky ones with RVs. So many have literally nothing. Lack of affordable housing drives crime and drug use. We need to ban investors from buying up huge portfolios of property that drive out residents. It's been happening here in Arizona for decades and it's gotten so bad that nobody can afford a one bedroom on a low wage salary. Forget minimum wage. 😢

I am a truck driver that has been to all major cities. Truth is that going to Portland, Chicago, and Philadelphia is like entering War zone. You come out shell shocked and sick to your stomach. Imagine What a 3rd world country must be like. I never did talk to my friends and family about how bad it was in my own free country. Its embarrassing

There is no housing crisis. There is only greed, an utter lack of compassion and a lack of will to give people homes. It is disgusting how these people are treated.

I used to be a mail carrier on this route until 2009 when I retired. I'm shocked to how this area has devolved from a bucolic wildlife sanctuary to this. 😢

Actually one of the cleanest encampment I’ve seen yet.

Kind of hard to live the Amercian dream when the price of housing and purchasing houses is now unaffordable to middle-class citizens !

Disgusting state of our country. I blame Airbnb, hoarding real estate pigs that lets units sit empty. Then you have hedge funds buying everything else up so they can rent it back to you at 3times the cost. Im sick and tired of the greedy making bank for doing nothing .

This is the future for the entire country. Houses cost too much money. I remember in late 2019 and early 2020 houses in an area near me going for 250k. I live in Missouri. The other day i saw a new subdivision in the same area and the starting prices were 400k with the least features, and if you wanted the features of the houses that were 250k in 2020, now you have to pay 475k. That's more than double for the same house. This housing bubble needs to burst badly.

The last source of housing these people have left, and we want to displace them from that too. We don’t want them on the streets, but we refuse to let them live in a way they can afford. There is zero excuse for why government managed RV lots are not being implemented all over the Bay Area, these people can park their RV’s and connect to utilities, with safety and cleanliness enforced strictly round the clock. This will cost us 1/20th of what the current sham affordable housing plan is. Instead of engaging in realistic solutions that provide relief now, we’re all still moronically holding on to the current affordable housing plan that’s creating just a handful of units 5 years down the road, while the homeless population grows exponentially.

This has been happening for years just now shining light on it.

There might be open class warfare soon if something isn't done. The "not homeless" are really getting sick of this mess. Not only here, but all over the planet.

10+ years of quantitative easing have got us to this point. It's raised the cost of housing to unprecedented levels. People have been forced to cope with increasingly higher levels of debt just to house themselves. Rising interest rates, as a response, will cause a huge wave of foreclosures, resulting in even more homelessness and eventually push a much greater percentage of the rest of the population into renting. Many are truly destined to own nothing but make no mistake, they will not be happy.

Rent is too expensive everywhere. It's $1800 for a one bedroom here in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. More of America will look just like this sooner than later. The price of homes are too high and rent is double or triple the price of a mortgage.

Outlaw corporate ownership of residential real estate.

I lived in silicon valley for 3yrs. Part of the problem is government elected people pass laws and regulations that make it extremely expensive and difficult to build new homes/apartments. Taxes on new units are disgusting, and it is almost impossible to get permits to build in certain areas.

I think of RV encampments like this every time I hear people talk about how wonderful it will be to ditch their house and spend the money on a large RV and live on the open road. You might notice that a few of those RVs in the vid are rather large and nice looking, and were not cheap. I wonder if some of the older people there didn't do that, just to see their house equity evaporate as the vehicle depreciates, and fuel, parking, and maintenance costs eat up the rest of their retirement funds.

The road actually looks cozy. Much better than actually living on the streets. I’m sure they help each other out. More RV should park along the governor’s private home to give him a big welcome for what he’s accomplished.

Living in a RV isn’t homeless. It’s a home on wheels.

As a California/SF Bay Area resident, many homeless hitchhike/take a bus here for our generous social services. The problem is that too many of them get hooked on drugs, don't want to work or be productive, and the California taxpayer foots the bill. Eventually, people are gonna have to get off their butt and get a job, and contribute to society. Social nets are there to catch you when you fall, but it's not a lifestyle. The Midwest is HUGE and cheap, and anyone looking to rebuild their life for next to nothing will always have a good start there. Yeah, you won't have the California weather and beaches, but you'll have a job and a roof over your head that's yours: foreclosures are everywhere. How bad do you want to NOT be homeless? A bus/train ride to a cheaper state is often the first step, but you can't be substance-addicted and you can't be entitled.

I drove across the country this year. There is no shortage of space or housing. You can find abandoned towns. California has campers everywhere because they invited the world to “move” to their sanctuary. They have conflicting laws as to its legality where other states don’t.

This is becoming a world-wide phenomenon. Costs are going up but salaries and services are going down. These results aren't surprising.

I have a house, and after raising a family, I have many times thought about living just like this. If I don't pay my property tax, I lose the house I paid off, so I never really own it. Heat bills are expensive, and many other things. I am on retirement and would have more money if I was living in an RV. To me, these are nice little homes. These though, cost a lot to drive around due to low gas mileage. I think it is great they have trash pick-up, toilets, hand washing stations, so these people can live with some dignity. I see this as a great alternative. Land also is getting more and more expensive, and many places won't allow people to camp on their own land more than a few weeks or months. Love to us all!

Same problem across all cities in California. There are blocks filled at the Google HQ in Mountain View literally right in front of the buildings, you have a similar stretch in Half Moon Bay, and least we forget Los Angeles, which is basically everywhere.

Not necessarily people with addictions are the only ones living on the streets I've seen interviews of young people that had been living houseless since they were children, I've seen people with high incomes, no addictions, people that have suffered a life changing disability, like amputations on both legs, the elderly with little income, etc. So some people just want to turn away, but anyone can fall under these tragic circumstances.

Living in a vehicle doesn't necessarily mean that anyone has made "bad decisions or choices." It is was it is, and the long line of RVs is simply the proof that this is a problem that leaders have been sweeping under the rug...for decades. The so-called "Affordable housing" movement simply made government organizations "look" like they were doing something good for their communities (and not just the real estate developers and building inspectors.) Now, we know better. The only bad choices here are public officials who use social media to gaslight others into believing they are doing something wrong, even criminal, by simply trying to survive. Kudos to every single person living on the strip..You have made it this far, and offer hope to those similarly situated.

Bay Area rent is astronomical! The wages have not kept up with housing costs and other living costs. Prayers for these people and i hope the officials will be compassionate and let them live in their RVs in peace.❤

It’s also skyrocketed in the Central Valley. Rent has almost doubled in the past couple years but wages stay the same.

I work for a top university that pays decent. Since the pandemic my rent skyrocketed and increased by 800$ extra a month in 1 year. My pay could never allow me to afford that. The median house price is 900k. Housing is completely unaffordable but the pandemic and working remotely allowed me to move out of the state and live comfortably. Now the university wants everyone back but doesn't want to pay more. I can't afford to move back and be homeless just to work there. It's crazy 🤷‍♀️

I am so tired of seeing this just get worse and worse and people report on it like something will be done, but housing still is unaffordable and everyday more people are becoming homeless. Not to mention being single is almost impossible to find housing. Nothing is affordable anywhere!!

Gotta love how this society has beaten down people to the point where that lady automatic blames herself for being homeless it's shameful what's becoming to our society

Some people like living like this. It's their lifestyle choice. And it beats paying $2800 per month for an apartment

I became a real estate agent here in the Los Angeles area solely because of this purpose! It’s sad when people think they don’t have a choice when it comes to their living situation! I love helping people who never thought they could find housing, find something great!

In the 1980s I rented for many years in Sunnyvale in the south bay area. My rent was $800 a month. Today, the same apartments are renting for $2,500 a month. The housing and homeless problems are manufactured problems. The entire economy needs a reboot.

Housing is tough. What's also tough? Staying in SF, or worse, moving to SF, without the means to pay for the cost of living there.

Thank you me and most of my friends are headed that way. We have a homeless 10 RV convoy headed that way. thanks to you for promting this slice of paradise homeless camp. We would have never known

Greed isnt the only reason, but typically top of the list.

In many ways it is a healthier way to live. You get rid of your possessions and simply live within your means. I rented a motorhome and lived in it for 6 months while my house was being fixed due to a fire. I LOVED it. Didn’t over purchase food because nowhere to put it. Had fewer clothes. I ended up being more responsible for keeping the space clean. The cost of utilities was much cheaper. I am single with two pets, so I can’t speak for a family, but for a couple or a 3 person family, this is a great option. Nothing embarrassing about not owning a home or renting an apartment. Life is bigger than all that.

Notice how many of those RV's are late models or in very good shape, and are accompanied by cars, trucks, etc, also in very good shape. It's more to showcase just how f'd up the cost of housing has become, especially out there on the west coast. So, how much longer can those cities operate with more and more of their working classes and poor folks unable to rent, let alone buy homes?

There used to be a lot of RV parks throughout California and the country. However, the majority of them are now long gone, and the few that are left place restrictions that makes it almost impossible to get into one even if they have room.

I love seeing people try to help

This is foreshadowing what's happening nationwide! Things are getting out of hand! Thanks Wall Street

that is a very fragile environment , make sure no waste goes in that water. i left novato in 2021 after the homeless trashed the novato creek area and it was cleaned up and 2 weeks later activist brought in a new batch of homeless drugged out alcholics, i could see the situation was only gonna get worse. loving life in carolina now.

In the video and comments, I have seen no reference to the problem in some 'safe' Western countries where numerous properties are being bought up by non nationals, who have the right to purchase the property and want to invest in a politically and economically safe country. This decreases the amount of homes available to nationals of the country and often increases property values, as they often have deep pockets. Some countries, such as Switzerland, India, Singapore and others, do not permit non nationals to purchase property, in order to protect the housing market for their own nationals. Is this not the case in the USA? I have read much about this, but it is not often mentioned in such videos and comments. It is very important and needs high profile discussion and attention.

God forbid the rich would have to see a person less fortunate. Thanks for the post, I’m loading up the airstream and heading to Novato.

It's happening in Ohio too...I'm almost homeless again and I'm not blessed enough to have a RV to fall back on..

I retired last year. My plan for decades was to sell my house and buy an RV to live my retired years on the road. Now, I'm staying in my paid off house till I rot. When they stopped building houses nearly 20 years ago no one had an idea this was going to be the result. Skilled craftsmen retired and had no one to teach their skills to, now what building is going on is poor quality. Lots of missed opportunities and the plan to correct it is what...tiny houses????

It's good to hear people leaving Sonoma county. Enjoy your new residents Marin county.

One time I went to Amsterdam and the canals were saturated with houseboats, which has come to symbolize the divide between haves and have-nots in the supposedly wealthy Netherlands

There used to so many mobile home neighborhoods in and around the Bay Area. A friend of mine lived in one when he stayed with his mom and grandma. The neighborhood was nice and clean, and it was for people who could not afford the prices even back then, but the location also made sure to keep out unsavory types because there were so many children living there as well. Now, you have expensive places surrounded by the unhoused, but you also have criminal gangs driving around in high-end vehicles, wearing expensive clothes, doing their smash and grabs. So it's a little wonder that one of those criminals can carry around a LV bag, and I have to make do with my Target bag, or maybe a nicer one if I can find it at Marshall's or TJ Maxx. I don't see why we can't bring those back, but also make sure to vet them so that anyone who is a danger to the neighborhood can be ousted. I remember feeling safe wandering around that mobile home neighborhood with my friend. It's been a while, but I believe it was in Hayward. But I don't see as many of those anymore, and I think the prices of those are probably as bad as renting an apartment these days.

This is like living in the depression.

And these are some of the lucky ones haviing RV shelter opposed to being in a tent under freeway... been seeing this going on since 10 years ago and before then

Hey everyone, After watching the video about the mile-long RV encampment and considering the housing challenges in the Bay Area, I wanted to share some insights on the impact of high property taxes in California, specifically in LA County. It's crucial to understand how these taxes are allocated and their direct effects on property owners and tenants. It's interesting to note that according to the National Ocean Service, 40% of Americans choose to live within 100 miles of a coast. This personal preference for coastal living contributes to the demand for housing in areas like California. However, it's important to consider different perspectives on this matter. In LA County, property owners typically face an approximate total general property tax rate of 1.161456%, which includes levies, voter indebtedness, and direct assessments. It's worth noting that these figures are specific to LA County and may differ in other areas of California. Let's take a closer look at the numbers. For example, consider a property like 1201 W Verdugo, currently listed for sale at $2,500,000. This property is a small apartment building with five units, each featuring two bedrooms and one bath. Applying the total general property tax rate to this property, the owner would have an annual property tax burden of approximately $29,306. Since property taxes are factored into the rent, each unit would contribute around $5,807 in property taxes per year, which is roughly $484 per month. These high property taxes directly impact tenants, increasing the overall cost of living in the area. Given the significant impact of property taxes on tenants, it's worth exploring alternative solutions. One potential approach could be to consider capping property taxes, similar to the way Social Security contributions are capped. This would provide relief to both property owners and tenants, ensuring a fair and balanced system. Let's engage in a thoughtful conversation about these challenges. The mile-long RV encampment in the Bay Area brings attention to the complexity of the housing situation, and addressing high property taxes is an important aspect of finding sustainable solutions. I appreciate your insights and perspectives on this topic.

Omg! People who live in RVs, have often been burned out of their homes by the unbelievable number of “wildfires”! It’s quite difficult to afford any housing, rent is sky high and most people under 50 have very little left!

This is happening all over the world. All the dude bros bought all the properties and raised the rent over 1000 dollars in the last few years.

America. What a great place to live in your camper. Freedom.

At least the city is helping them. Kudos to the city. And its helping to maintain sanitation by providing the porta potties and trash pick-up. God bless this folks and those helping them.

I’m in Canada Vancouver Island and I work , but I can’t afford the $2000 dollar a month rent. What does one do?

I fought the housing crisis by moving 2 hours away. To a nicer, quieter, greener area. Nicer people. letss congestion a better overall quality of life. So many things to do in gold country.

This is so worrying...it can happen to any of us

OMG! So many helpless people!!

Housing crisis (including excessive rent and lack of affordable houses for rent and sale) IS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY

And here I am trying to get me an RV I would love to not have to pay lights gas and water bills but I guess I don’t know everyone’s story.. rent is ridiculously high soon won’t any of us have a choice but to be out there praying for this country and world 🙏🏾

Are the premium spots the one's closest to the porta potties or the farthest away?

When there's no where else to park your rv. But calling it an encampment is slanderous. Keep in mind billionaires own the media. They want their view back.

The real problem is greed. Rents are so high, people can't afford to live in apartments anymore. Something needs to be done about landlord greed, until then the problem is only gonna get worse. That goes for everywhere across the country.

WHOOOOO WE'RE DEFINITELY SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, NICE WORK!!!;)

Where do they get all this Rvs?

The first guy, my impression is "ofc that's what one of the haves is gonna say" The second guy, I thank God there are still people like you in this world. Sometimes it just takes one person to genuinely care and treat you with respect to change your entire life.

Am watching this from my car... I lost my apartment over 2 months ago due to my building needed a major renovation due to overdue building code violations! I was one of 11 tenants given "termination of lease agreements", regarding the reconstruction. I had 60 days to find a new apartment, but wasn't able to because of high rent costs. In addition, I am unemployed and was searching for a job too. So in a very short tine, I packed some of my things into a storage locker, a few things in my car, left all my furniture, placed my 10 year old cat into foster care (she means the world to me, and hurts beyond words), and as I said been "surviving" in my car, within a safe sanctioned parking lot. There are about 35+ other cars, trucks, and small vans parked every night. We have become a sort of "surrogate" family, helping each other as needed... whether it's a battery charge, a tool to repair something, extra food, or someone to talk and cry about our "journey". I have met so many "survivors" who are much more resilient than the fake "Survivor" tv show. I sit here amazed how life can throw you a massive "curve ball", and in such a short time, turn it upside down. I have seen the "other side" of those living in the sidewalk or in tents, and in the end WE are all human beings, who deserve to be acknowledged with dignity, respect and as much as needed to be whole again. I'm beyond tired of the politicians, media and the general public making cruel, demeaning and offensive remarks about the tens of thousands, who have fallen, and trying to get back up! 😠 Remember NOBODY is immune from this potential scenario, you could face a divorce, job loss, bankruptcy, medical emergency or from a natural disaster (ie. the upcoming brushfire season)? HOMELESSNESS doesn't discriminate regarding age, gender or race! Please think for one minute, what you would do if in the next 48 hours, it happened to you, and could you survive?! 🤔 I am focusing on rebuilding my life, one step at a time, because let me say in closing, there have been times I've considered "GIVING UP" (if you catch my meaning), but I refuse to become a statistic and want to LIVE again! 🤗 Thank you for reading. PS... I will not respond to any nasty or negative comments or remarks, because my dignity, hope, faith and mental state are stronger! 😇

my parents bought their current home in 07 for $339k it has now ballooned in value to almost $700k. since 2007. if that doesn't tell you the situation, idk what does.

Homeless in the street and homeless in an Rv is a luxury no comparison

Bad choices are not the only problem......unaffordability is the biggest issue. I for one cannot afford 1600 per month on top of utility bills, food etc

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to let residential property ownership to be consolidated into the hands of Blackrock and other hedge funds. There are lots of funds that own 1000s of single family homes. If you guys put a cap on the number of units owned, it would disperse ownership to small landlords who wouldn't have investors to answer to.

Water front property, weekly trash pickup, hand washing stations, port-a potties…where do I sign up.

We need to vote this government out. They did this to the American 🇺🇸 people. Stop giving our money to other countries and support our own people

California was much more affordable before 2000. After that, rents went up 2 - 2 1/2 times. I lived in a simple one bedroom in a nice area of the San Fernando Valley for $550 in 1992. Only went up to $675 by 1999. I was making $40k as a single person with no dependents, so I brought home about $2,500 a month and got back about $700 at tax time. That apartment is now probably $1,600. That would be more than half a month's pay. Incomes haven't gone up to make up the difference. And you can't afford to buy a house even with two average incomes, because a nice 3 bedroom in a nice neighborhood is a $1 million. Suddenly, 2003 it's $1,200. Gone up since then.

Having a camper is not what I call homeless.

It’s the same in Australia.but I think most are people are sleeping in tents . It’s not good people’s rents have gone up so high they can’t afford to pay such high rents .

Very sad, same as our country 🇬🇧, 50 years ago low earnings can afford to mortgage a house but now is impossible.

I make six figures and I have to pay $2k/mo for my studio apartment and $2k/mo for my diabetes supplies (that’s with so-called good health insurance) and it’s virtually impossible to make ends meet. And it’s depressing, I did everything right, I always worked hard and all I get is the ‘privilege’ of having a roof over my head.

these folks got it MADE! prove me wrong.they literally live free on the beach and taxes pay ALL their needs!

Governments too concerned with greed , then making this a world we can all live

Notice: the weekly trash p/u, tidy areas around the trailers and RV's, porta-potties, handwash stations. This doesn't cost much but this is an economic issue here, not a crack pipe issue as elsewhere.

I would like to have seen the camera pick up more of the license plates of these vehicles. Curious as to how many are CA plates, vs. out-of-state plates.

Living by the water in CA… ain’t that what epitomizes the CA dream?

Nice view, waterfront property!!!

Stop taxing people on property they own is a start.

The problem is for one the government is not interested in helping anyone other than themselves. Two the banks and the government control your money enough to keep dependent on them and not allow you to make any money. Our money is taxed a few times which is ridiculous. Example you pay property tax on a home you already own. Car taxes, and the list goes on.

I'm glad that they have a situation that is clearly better than some cities allow... but I wonder how they deal with dumping their septic tank and water needs?

Elisa isn’t homeless. That’s her home right there behind her.

If I was homeless, I wouldn’t live in one of the most expensive places to live in the nation. I would skeedaddle to a state I can afford to live.

"People have nowhere else to go". Except to countless other cities where they could afford housing.

Where is this?

Sanitary conditions have to be astounding

If you ride the SMART Train you can see this when passing through Novato. There are some other minor homeless encampments / homeless tents you can see all along the smart train corridor.

Ugh, can you imagine the stench of that water 😫