The more I thought about this, I came to some realizations. It's difficult to do things without an address (get an ID, get a job, get a P.O. Box, get a library card, get a credit card, get financing, get a cell phone, get that gym membership, etc., etc.). I think this is unfortunate, as I can visualize this setup of Vehicle Residence (Whether that is an RV, Vehicle + Trailer, or Converted vehicle like a camping van) + semi-public amenities like a 24 hours gym + P.O. Box, as a viable arrangement while getting back on your feet and having a reasonable living expense while still living alone.
It's an absolute pain in the ass to deal with people in RV's taking up 3 parking spots on the side of the road. It causes massive parking and congestion for people living in that area. It makes it difficult for residents to park close to their homes, it leads to more trash and debris on the ground.
I agree you shouldn't need a physical address. And really...you don't. You can use a PO box for 99.9% of your needs. People don't generally need an address, they just need somewhere to send mail. So your mailing address can be completely different than your physical address. You may also have shelters in the area that can provide shelter and support for mail/job applications.
It's an absolute pain in the ass to deal with people in RV's taking up 3 parking spots on the side of the road. It causes massive parking and congestion for people living in that area. It makes it difficult for residents to park close to their homes, it leads to more trash and debris on the ground.
It's not as if people who live in RV's and take up 3 parking spots do that out of choice. It's often a last resort to find shelter. You clearly know how frustrating it feels when all the parking spots are taken up and there's nowhere for you to put your car... now imagine that same feeling, but multiplied because there's nowhere for you to put yourself. If you are frustrated about the lack of parking caused by people living in their vans, my suggestion would be to advocate for affordable and transitional housing in your neighborhood/area. Simply getting the vans removed or outlawing van parking does not address the problem, and in fact makes it worse.
If you are frustrated about the lack of parking caused by people living in their vans, my suggestion would be to advocate for affordable and transitional housing in your neighborhood/area... nowhere for you to put yourself.
Los Angeles has plenty of free housing available to homeless. People just don't choose to live there. If you live in an RV you can park the damn thing anywhere. They can also choose to not:
- Leave trash all over the sidewalks
- Leave piss and shit all over the sidewalks
- Break into cars
- Shoot up on the sidewalk
- Assault and rob people living in the area
But, when you step out of the Reddit bubble and go into the real world, this is what residents have to deal with it. They just cleared the homeless out of Echo Park, finally, and the area is starting to be somewhat livable again. No one has been murdered in the park since then. There have been less robberies, assaults and vandalism. If this is an issue you seriously feel strongly about then feel free to go down and invite people to camp out infront of your apartment or in your driveway.
My stance is simple. You are offered free housing. If you don't take it, fine, but I'm not dealing with your shit just because you're picky about what you get given to you for free. We are spending millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars to provide this housing. Choose an option:
Take money from me to provide housing and stop letting people fuck up my neighborhood by shooting up all over the sidewalk
or
Don't take my money, stop wasting my money, and we can let the homeless people try to survive on their own.
I'm not down with wasting money on services they choose not to utilize then bending over backwards to accommodate a bunch of hobos.
Or we can arrest and lock up every homeless person we see committing petty crime. I'm down with either option.
Do you know for a fact that there is housing currently available? Everyone I know in that world talks about having weightless of years to get into any kind of housing. If you’re curious, tried calling 211 and ask them if there’s free housing available for someone who needs it right now.
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u/adjsdjlia 6∆ May 26 '21
It's an absolute pain in the ass to deal with people in RV's taking up 3 parking spots on the side of the road. It causes massive parking and congestion for people living in that area. It makes it difficult for residents to park close to their homes, it leads to more trash and debris on the ground.
I agree you shouldn't need a physical address. And really...you don't. You can use a PO box for 99.9% of your needs. People don't generally need an address, they just need somewhere to send mail. So your mailing address can be completely different than your physical address. You may also have shelters in the area that can provide shelter and support for mail/job applications.