Geographic and Regulatory Impacts on Vehicular Homelessness in Los Angeles

Abstract

In Los Angeles, the percentage of unsheltered people living in vehicles is estimated to be almost 50% of the region’s homeless population. Over the past few years, those living in cars, vans, and RVs/campers have increased in line with the affordable housing crisis and rising unemployment and poverty rates. While studies on homelessness are vast, little attention has been paid to the high percentage of unsheltered individuals living in vehicles. However, relative to the alternatives — sleeping in public spaces or reliance on temporary shelters — vehicles provide safe, stable, and secure shelter. This study sheds light on the relationship between municipal ordinances and the presence and spatial dimensions of vehicular homelessness in Los Angeles County. The findings have implications for efforts to regulate and address the needs of those living in vehicles.

About the Project

A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that 85% of Californians are concerned about the presence of homeless people in their community and believe addressing this issue should be a top priority. Few scholars have studied the large and growing numbers of people who live in their vehicles. According to point-in-time count data from the 2019 Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, over 40% of the unsheltered homeless population in LA County, some 14,000 people, rely on vehicles (cars, vans, RVs) for shelter. The increase in vehicular homelessness raises challenges for both people who are experiencing homelessness and for cities. Vehicle living can be cost-effective relative to sky-high rents, but residents often lack essential amenities. At the same time, residents complain about the adverse effects of vehicle encampments on their neighborhoods. In response, this project seeks to create a better understanding of vehicular homelessness as a way for both homeless providers and transportation officials alike to address this precarious form of shelter.