With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
LA County Supervisors Approve 'Vanlord' Resolution
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday to come up with a plan to crack down on “vanlords” and the encampments they create by renting out RVs for people to live in.
L.A. County staff now have 90 days to report back with recommendations “to curtail the selling, leasing, or renting of Recreational Vehicles (RV) and oversized vessels in the public right-of-way.”
Supervisors asked that the report include a proposal for escalating fines and a plan for how those fines can be invested into the county’s homelessness initiative, specifically for the Pathway Home RV program.
Why it matters
Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who introduced the motion with Supervisor Kathyrn Barger, described it as a way of addressing “the phenomenon of vanlords.” Mitchell said her office receives dozens of calls and letters every day about RV encampments.
“We are going after the vanlords,” said Janice Hahn, the board chair.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the practice takes advantage of the people they’re renting to.
“There’s no regulation for this practice or penalties for unscrupulous owners charging money for unsanitary and sometimes dangerous conditions,” Horvath said. “Vehicles are often unregistered, uninsured, and inoperable. There exists no recourse for the people living in those dangerous conditions.”
Why now
Supervisor Hilda Solis said when the city of L.A. cracked down in August, the RV encampments just moved into unincorporated areas. This resolution, and any further action from the board, would apply to the roughly 120 unincorporated areas in L.A. County.
Barger said the RV encampments are a public health and safety issue. She said there are major concerns about illegal dumping and the increased risk of fire from the propane inside some RVs.
The backstory
The number of people living in RVs across L.A. County has jumped 31% from 2020 to 2023, according to the annual homeless counts.
About 11,500 people are estimated to live in roughly 6,800 RVs.
Go deeper: …to learn more about L.A. County’s unhoused population
-
How did we get here? Who’s in charge of what? And where can people get help?
- Read answers to common questions around homelessness in the L.A. region.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places.
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.