When neighborhoods have problems, sometimes there are “creative” solutions. Plenty of local governments have offered a reward to those turning in unwanted firearms, but RVs? Marin County, California, may be the first to offer a buyback program for RVs. But don’t get excited that you can finally get rid of that worn-out motorhome you have in the backyard—read on.
Taking to a Novato street as a refuge
With 53,000 residents, Novato, California, is considered a fairly small town, at least by Bay-area standards. But it suddenly got popular when the 2017 Tubbs fire burned up a lot of homes and made their residents homeless. Many took to the streets of Novato in RVs as a refuge. The numbers grew over time, as not just fire refugees, but just plain folks who couldn’t afford high costs joined the ranks of street-dwellers.
Unlike some governments, Marin County officials didn’t give these RV dwellers the typical runaround. No “you can stay here for a week, but then you’ve got to move” situations. These folks put down roots next to the sidewalks, if you will. The county overcame the typical problems associated with RV encampments by putting out portable toilets, and picking up trash three days a week.
Still, Marin County’s staffers and elected officials knew something more needed to be done. They couldn’t just let things keep growing. When someone moves their RV out of a space along Binford Road (the popular encampment area), the county quickly steps in and blocks off the open space. The population on Binford Road has come down to just about 100. What could be done to encourage these RV dwellers to move on to more established housing?
Boat situation points to buyback program for RVs
A clue to the puzzle came from a situation out in the bay near Oakland. Boat owners were finding out they couldn’t afford the high fees to moor in marinas. Some gave up and anchored their boats in the bay and simply abandoned them. Others sold them at low prices. Enter a group of “homeless” folks who then started living “off-anchor” in the Bay. Against the law, but done, nevertheless. The answer to the problem was to offer a boat buyback program. Would the same idea work for RVers in Novato?
Marin County is now trying a buyback program for RVs. For those living in an RV in Novato, if they’re willing to move into “permanent” housing, the county will pay $175 a lineal foot to buy back their rig. The county notes that can easily amount to four or five thousand dollars—money which can be used for rent, security deposits, etc. California has handed the county $2 million to clear out the Binford Road sites. The county’s goal is to cut the number of RVs on the road in half in the next two years, and meet the “all gone” status by 2026.
At least one Binford Road RV dweller says he’s fine with the idea—as far as it goes. He points out that having money in hand is one thing. Finding a suitable roof to live under is quite another. Like most of the Bay Area, Marin County has a decided scarcity of affordable housing. The buyback program for RVs may be a great in principle, but short on practicality.
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After having lived in Marin for almost all of the 80s, I can attest to the astronomical cost of everything, from food, to rent, to even car washes and haircuts. Wifey and I decided (after several orders of chips, salsa, and Margaritas at a local Chevy’s) we had to get out. We couldn’t afford to buy a garage, let alone a house. And prices have gone nowhere but up since then. Giving these ‘RV’ owners some cash for their junker RVs is ridiculous. That money might get them one or two months’ rent.
We live in Chester County- suburban Philly, Pa. It takes 6months to a year to get a non paying renter out. Hate to see what it would take to evict one in Marin county.
I agree! What a joke! I’m trying to evict a deadbeat tenant there who is over $60k in arrears! The law is on the side of the lawless! Remember that next November!
I attended high school in Marin County graduating in 1965. Lived in various areas of same and Sonoma County also. Left for Eastern Washington in 2013. It is financially infeasible to return there to buy and/or rent at this time, probably any time. My present city property in Eastern Washington state would go for 3/4 of a million + today in Marin County. A motorhome might work depending on the park rate. Definitely a beautiful location surrounded by ocean and bay on three sides with mountain and forest within its boundaries. Nice place to visit.
More California nonsense… @@
YUP!!
“Enter a group of “homeless” folks who then started living “off-anchor” in the Bay. Against the law, but done, nevertheless. The answer to the problem was to offer a boat buyback program. ”
We are quickly becoming a nation, at least in big cities, of lawlessness. Break the law and get a bonus is the “big city government” mindset. And they wonder why their problems just continue to multiply.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! A large number of Californians are moving to Tennessee from what I’ve heard. I even know one family who left their ancestral home there for middle Tennessee. This plan could fuel further relocation. Personally, I find east Tennessee a bit more populated than I like, so maybe the rest will also stop when they reach middle Tennessee. Afterall, it IS closer to California. 😉 Thanks again and merry Christmas! 🙂
I’ve lived in the Marin area since 1978. It has always been once of the most expensive areas of the country. And one of the most liberal.On the cutting edge, in fact. Bleeding heart virtue signalling is everywhere you look. But then, there is the strong NIMBY factor. All that “virtue” is coming home to roost. Fact is, Binford Road has become an RV “hobo jungle”. Not to mention that it borders a public nature preserve…denying it to all of the residents who pay high prices and taxes to live there. Sausalito- a very expensive bayfront enclave in Marin- has had this problem for years in Richardson Bay with old derelict boats and marine hobos. Its quite entertaining to watch this circus
The housing crisis is entirely self inflicted through nimby zoning laws and over zealous politicians.