San Jose’s City Council has passed a controversial new policy that effectively criminalizes homelessness for residents living in recreational vehicles (RVs). In a 9-1 vote, the council approved measures that will ban the advertising and renting of RVs to homeless individuals, with strict penalties that could lead to trespassing citations and vehicle removal.

The new ordinance, set to take effect in August, targets what city officials call “vanlording” - a practice of renting RVs to unhoused residents. However, critics argue the policy does more harm than good, especially given the city’s limited safe parking options. Currently, San Jose has only two safe parking sites with space for just 128 vehicles, despite an estimated 800 RV dwellers in the area.

Councilmember Pamela Campos, the sole dissenting vote, raised critical concerns about the policy’s potential for abuse. She emphasized the importance of maintaining civil liberties and being sensitive to vulnerable populations, particularly in a political climate where marginalized communities already feel unsafe.

The policy accompanies San Jose’s existing RV tow-away zone program, which plans to establish up to 30 temporary and 10 permanent zones for clearing vehicles from city streets. Proponents argue the measure will protect property owners and businesses, but housing advocates see it as another punitive approach that fails to address the root causes of homelessness.

Vice Mayor Pam Foley defended the policy, stating it provides law enforcement clearer guidelines when property owners request assistance with unauthorized vehicle parking. However, Councilmember David Cohen expressed reservations about the policy’s potential impact on vulnerable residents.

As Bay Area housing costs continue to skyrocket, policies like these highlight the ongoing struggle between municipal governance and the humanitarian crisis of urban homelessness. The new ordinance represents a stark reminder of the challenges unhoused individuals face in finding stable, safe housing in one of California’s most expensive regions.

With implementation scheduled for later this year, many are watching closely to see how this policy will be enforced and its potential consequences for San Jose’s most vulnerable residents.