How does a homeless person enter the world of Motorhomes? (Westminster: RV park, apartment)

[New Horizons]

So I'm watching old local news footage clips, about the ongoing "problem" of RV's parked along the streets of Venice. I'm seeing some pretty long class C and Class A motorhomes, even saw some big bus conversions. But what strikes my curiosity, is how do these people wind up procuring these large vehicles?

I had never even been inside a motorhome before (until just recently). Nobody in my family ever owned one, I just dismissed them as expensive toys for retired Midwesterners.

So it just seems like a radical move for these homeless people to wind up with a motorhome. Just maneuvering and parking a 28+ foot MH requires some experience. Not to mention these old ones require significant maintenance.

It would seem like these people were RV'ers before they became homeless.

[adr3naline]

Originally Posted by New Horizons

It would seem like these people were RV'ers before they became homeless.

I think you're right on the money with this one^. I had a conversation with a homeless RV owner not too long ago and he said he inherited his from a relative during hard times. This was just one conversation so I'm not sure if it's common, but the logic seems to follow because functional RV's are really not that cheap.

On another note, I think the term "homeless" gets ambiguous when someone owns a functional RV. It's a shelter to sleep in, providing means of transportation, private restroom, etc. Sounds "fun" in a lot of respects. Someone on this board lives on a boat - I don't believe they have a job. I doubt he/she would consider them self "homeless". But I guess that's besides the point of this thread.

[Mr_Geek]

Watch the first episode of breaking bad and you will see how many get started in RVing.

[New Horizons]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

Watch the first episode of breaking bad and you will see how many get started in RVing.

I've never watched a single episode of that show, I'll check it out.

[ryanms3030]

Is someone homeless if they are living in an RV?

[New Horizons]

That's true about the term homeless. In the RV community they would be termed, "full timers".

Next time I'm in LA, I'm going to spend a day in Venice, see what this RV scene looks like.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a 20-22' class C motorhome, something to escape this AZ summer heat in.

Originally Posted by adr3naline

I think you're right on the money with this one^. I had a conversation with a homeless RV owner not too long ago and he said he inherited his from a relative during hard times. This was just one conversation so I'm not sure if it's common, but the logic seems to follow because functional RV's are really not that cheap.

On another note, I think the term "homeless" gets ambiguous when someone owns a functional RV. It's a shelter to sleep in, providing means of transportation, private restroom, etc. Sounds "fun" in a lot of respects. Someone on this board lives on a boat - I don't believe they have a job. I doubt he/she would consider them self "homeless". But I guess that's besides the point of this thread.

[jm1982]

Interesting question
I'm thinking most of them owned the rv before becoming " homeless "

it might be an idea to allow these people to park their vehicles in a certain location , but parking them on public streets and dumping stuff in streets is not a good idea .

Maybe if there were some city owned lots and these people paid rent ?
I had an rv parked in front of my house for several days and it was weird not knowing if someone was in it, who the person was etc .

I'm guessing it costs about the same to live in an RV in LA versus elsewhere in the country so it makes sense why they want to be here , but on the other hand I don't think we whole tolerate it to the degree we do .
If you go to certain parks there are many people living in their vehicles .

It won't fly in Beverly Hills or Brentwood , so they go to other areas .
North Hollywood has a ton of these vehicles . There are a lot of shops that have been closed for years near the Macy's on Laurel canyon where it's become a magnet for these rvs

That's another bad thing about vacant property . It's not creating jobs or bringing in tax revenue and also a magnet for stuff like this .

[jm1982]

Rolling Meth Labs , it sounds like a good name for a punk band.

[Dunbar42]

I noticed some pretty run down looking RV's constantly parked at the Westminster dog park in Venice for several months. I don't notice them anymore but I assumed it was homeless people figuring out how to game the system. As far as how somebody gets them I bet you can buy them pretty cheap and it's going to cost a fraction of renting in LA.

[69Charger]

I forsee two types of people.

#1. A person or family on hard times, with class and independence. Cheaper than a hotel or apartment, and can save to get back on track.

#2. A bum that's a step above. Maybe they had the RV, got it from someone, or saved whatever income source they have and bought it off an old cheapo used RV lot.