Oakland Passes Measure to Clear RVs and Cars Used as Shelter

The new policy allows the city to remove vehicles used as housing, even when no alternative is available.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting of a lone RV parked on an Oakland street, the vehicle's silhouette reflected in a puddle and surrounded by deep shadows, conveying a sense of isolation and the melancholy mood of the city's new homelessness policy.Oakland's new policy of clearing RVs and cars used as shelter from public spaces reflects the city's struggle to balance the needs of businesses and the unhoused.Oakland Today

After months of debate, the Oakland City Council has passed a controversial measure that allows the city to clear RVs and cars used as shelter from public spaces, even when no alternative housing is available. Officials say they are still required to make reasonable efforts to offer housing, but in emergencies, the city can shut down encampments with little notice. The new policy speeds up removals, especially in what the city calls "high-sensitivity areas" near schools, churches, and business corridors.

Why it matters

The change is drawing strong reactions, with some business owners cheering the move and urging the city to classify more areas as "high sensitivity," while homeless advocates warn the policy could make the situation worse by further criminalizing unhoused residents and displacing more people.

The details

The current system treated RVs and cars as encampments, limiting how quickly they could be towed. The new policy allows the city to move more quickly to remove vehicles used as shelter, especially in areas deemed "high-sensitivity" near schools, churches, and businesses. Officials say they will work with the county to provide safer parking sites, but homeless advocates argue there simply isn't enough shelter available.

  • The new policy was passed by the Oakland City Council in April 2026.

The players

Ken Houston

An Oakland City Councilmember who led the effort to pass the new measure.

Petra Hilton

A homeless advocate who warns the policy could make homelessness worse by further criminalizing unhoused residents.

Derrick Soo

A representative of the Homeless Advocacy Working Group who fears the new policy will displace more people and increase the number of homeless in East Oakland.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The encampment management plan five years ago has failed us.”

— Ken Houston, Oakland City Councilmember

“If the goal is to reduce homelessness, an amendment like this that increases sweeps and further criminalizes unhoused residents is likely a step in the wrong direction.”

— Petra Hilton, Homeless Advocate

“People are going to lose their homes, their property, their medications, their safety and security because living on the street, without those RV's and some sort of shelter or collective group, you're in danger.”

— Derrick Soo, Homeless Advocacy Working Group Representative

What’s next

Officials say they are working with Alameda County to provide safer parking sites for those displaced by the new policy.

The takeaway

This controversial measure highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing homelessness in Oakland, with business owners and city leaders pushing for more aggressive action, while homeless advocates warn the policy could further marginalize unhoused residents and fail to address the root causes of the crisis.