Mountain View Doubles RV Lot Capacity Amid Housing Crisis

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The city of Mountain View is doubling its safe parking capacity at the Shoreline Lot B, adding dozens of RV and commuter spaces to replace closing sites on Evelyn Avenue and Terra Bella. City leaders backed the expansion despite rising costs, tying it to the region's housing crisis and stressing it's a temporary tool while new affordable housing projects move forward.

Why it matters

The RV lot expansion is a response to the growing homelessness crisis in the Bay Area, as more residents have been forced to live in their vehicles due to the lack of affordable housing. While a temporary solution, the move highlights the challenges Mountain View and other cities face in addressing the complex issue of homelessness.

The details

The Shoreline RV Parking Program expansion will add more than 50 new spaces to the existing lot, providing a safe and secure place for unhoused residents living in RVs. The city is replacing closing sites on Evelyn Avenue and Terra Bella, which had become a point of contention with nearby residents. Despite the rising costs, city leaders view the expansion as a necessary step to support the community and provide temporary shelter while longer-term affordable housing projects are developed.

• In January 2026, a young sea lion nicknamed Babymac was found wandering on Mountain View's Garcia Avenue near Google.
• In March 2026, Mountain View city leaders approved the expansion of the Shoreline RV Parking Program.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city plans to monitor the usage and impact of the expanded RV lot over the coming months to ensure it is effectively serving the needs of the unhoused community. Additionally, Mountain View is continuing to work on developing new affordable housing projects that will provide more long-term solutions to homelessness in the area.