San Francisco Sun

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors has approved a new city law aimed at addressing the issue of oversized vehicles, including recreational vehicles (RVs), being used as residences on San Francisco streets. The legislation, proposed by Mayor London N. Breed, provides homeless outreach workers with an additional tool to encourage individuals living in these vehicles to accept shelter and housing services offered by the city.

This new regulation will make overnight parking by inhabited RVs a towable offense between midnight and 6 a.m., but only if the occupants refuse offers of shelter or services. This measure builds upon existing regulations that restrict overnight parking for oversized vehicles on certain streets.

Supervisors Joel Engardio, Catherine Stefani, Rafael Mandelman, and Matt Dorsey have expressed their support for this change. Supervisor Engardio emphasized the need for functioning streets, noting residents' frustrations with parking availability due to long-term RV occupancy. Supervisor Stefani highlighted the balance between compassion and accountability in maintaining safe neighborhoods.

Mayor Breed commented on the legislation's importance: “This approval by the SFMTA Board of Directors will help us to enforce our laws to ensure that our streets are safe, livable, and accessible to everyone.” She also stressed that accepting help from outreach workers is not optional for those offered housing or shelter.

Supervisor Mandelman supported the proposal stating that it is unreasonable to allow public spaces to be converted into campgrounds. Supervisor Dorsey noted that while providing shelter options is crucial, allowing RVs as makeshift housing poses safety concerns.

The city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) offers various services including relocation assistance and access to shelter. Since June, HSH has assisted numerous households in moving from vehicle residency into long-term housing.

Jeff Tumlin, SFMTA Director of Transportation, explained that ongoing issues such as blocked sidewalks and limited parking availability prompted this legislative action. He stated: “City workers are out on the streets every day offering shelter and housing... This legislation will allow for parking enforcement when all of those offers have been refused.”

Under Mayor Breed's leadership since 2018, San Francisco has expanded its homelessness response system significantly. The city reports helping over 5,200 people exit homelessness in the last year alone.

Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of HSH reiterated their commitment: "We will use the shelter, housing and financial assistance available to us to move people out of vehicles and into a safe and dignified housing options."