Los Angeles residents left homeless by wildfires may be able to use RVs as temporary shelters, reports Minyvonne Burke at NBC News. On January 16, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that fast-tracks temporary housing for residents who have been displaced by the wildfires. This includes RVs, which had been previously prohibited in Los Angeles, according to the LA County Zoning Enforcement.
Just two days prior, in a press conference on January 14, 2025, on January 14, Mayor Karen Bass also updated jer executive order of a local declaration of emergency to facilitate rebuilding in the fire zones as recovery begins, as reported by WEAR Channel 3 News. Part of that declaration will include a one-stop permitting center helping to expedite rebuilding permits. The center will include agencies like FEMA as well as state agencies.
Los Angeles Lifts the Previous RV Prohibition
In many places, living in recreational vehicles full-time on a property has been prohibited by local ordinances. While there are sometimes exemptions for those who are in the building process, those exemptions typically have rather short durations and the building process must be active.
Newsom, in recognizing the conditions created by the disaster, says that will now change for homeless residents.
“As thousands of Los Angeles residents have been faced with sudden displacement, the state is taking decisive action to help provide housing and assistance as quickly as possible,” stated the California governor in a news release. “Today, we are expediting the creation of new temporary housing by removing roadblocks and strengthening protections against exploitation.”
Newsom’s executive order, with Mayor Bass’s declaration, will focus on things like debris removal, rebuilding permits and watershed hazard mitigation. Many residents still have not been able to return to the site of their hous. As of this writing, crews continue work to ensure that no dangers exist from fire or other consequences of the disaster.
The city has launched a Debris Removal Task Force in coordination with state and federal agencies, including the California Office of Emergency Services. This initiative aims to clear hazardous materials. The aim is also to ensure compliance with environmental regulations to prevent contamination of groundwater and air.
Preparing for the Post-Fire Landscape
A Watershed Hazards Task Force has also been established to assess post-fire risks. Such risks could include flash floods and mudslides. Emergency mitigation measures will be implemented to protect infrastructure and public safety.
The history of Los Angeles’s homelessness problems are extensive. Many people were already living in RVs, which presented a problem for city. As they collected in areas, it created challenges for neighborhoods. The city’s generally pleasant climate but very high housing costs help create this problem in the community. At present the City Council already has allocated $750,000 to remove blighted RVs for dismantling.
However, the move to allow living in RVs is not unusual in fire-blighted areas. This reporter has been part of recovery efforts after fire in Northern California where this practice was also allowed.
Leave a Reply