I first encountered Dixon on a morning walk around the campground. He looked to be in his late forties, but I’m not very adept at guessing ages. Dixon, or Dix, as some campers call him, was smoking his breakfast. He unapologetically acknowledged that every day began and ended with a smoke (cigarettes). I eat chocolate chips in my oatmeal, so who am I to judge?
Dix was outside his trailer—an older, stationary park model—when I first saw him. He was sitting at his site’s picnic table and offered a tentative, though friendly, wave. I didn’t pause for conversation. I simply said, “Good morning,” smiled at Dixon, and continued on my way. I wanted to finish my walk and get back to our RV before the heat and humidity got any worse.
Who is Dixon?
A few evenings later, as folks gathered around the campfire, someone asked about Dixon. I squirmed a bit, not comfortable discussing someone who wasn’t at the campfire to defend himself. I mentioned my unease, but others continued talking.
“Dixon told me that he’s retired from the military,” Jack ventured. “Never married but lives in the campground here full-time. Dix gets his site in return for helping around the campground.”
“Uh, I don’t think so,” Frank disagreed. “He’s squatting. He may be retired military (though I doubt it). That’s not his trailer. The campground owner has been trying to evict him for months.”
Dixon’s dilemma
As the conversation unfolded, two distinct “sides” quickly emerged. Some folks defended Dix, saying that no one in our country should ever be without a roof over their head. Dix deserved compassion and help, instead of criticism and disdain.
Others insisted that Dix, like everyone else, should obey the law. By squatting, Dix was stealing the campground owner’s ability to rent the park model to someone else. How was this situation in any way fair for the CG owner?
Everyone’s dilemma
My husband and I left the campfire before any conclusions were drawn. As we walked back to our RV, we agreed that situations like Dixon’s seemed more common lately. As the economy struggles, it seems that more and more people have trouble making ends meet. Add to that, mental illness, violence, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing, and you’ve got a real mess—even in some campgrounds.
I should note that we have encountered campground owners who do provide housing in exchange for the renter’s help around the CG (mowing grass, picking up litter, cleaning campfire pits, and more).
We left the campground before learning or clarifying anything more about Dixon and the dilemma, so I guess I’ll never know the outcome.
Answers to homelessness in campgrounds?
Are there any answers? I certainly don’t have them. Churches and community groups try to help the homeless and the unfortunate as best they can. Local governments struggle to balance compassion with existing laws, inevitably resulting in unfavorable situations for one party or the other. Where does personal responsibility end and societal assistance begin? Should that question be reversed—or even asked in the first place?
Have you noticed homelessness in campgrounds? Tell us about it in the comments that follow. Please keep your comments polite and civil.
Never look down on ANYBODY unless you’re helping them up – that’s what the sign says. We, as a nation of “haves”, are divided about helping others up. It showed in your campfire conversation. It shows in our nation’s division over the unfortunate folks at our southern border. We’re a capitalistic nation. Money drives us. We tend to grasp hold of it & not let any of it go to those less fortunate than ourselves. How can anyone think those folks who end up homeless wanted that? Drugs, mental issues, political strife &/or misfortune. For a few short weeks I found myself homeless. I lived out of my van for a week. If it were not for the kindness of a fellow worker, I too would have ended up out on the street, lost my job, my van, and have to figure out how to find my way back to a roof over my head. I saved my money and rented out a basement apartment, continued to save and eventually I was back into a home. Don’t judge the less fortunates.
Your comment is insightful but shows only one side. Not all homeless are just down on their luck. Some choose to be away from and ignore societal norms. A minority of homeless can be very dangerous and one needs to be careful before they butt in and try to be Mr Helpful. Drugs, Mental illness can drive some to be violent in a split second. Be kind but watch your Six !
Your comments could be the same for anyone, homeless or not.
What unfortunate folks at the southern border are you referring to? The unfortunate legal residents who are being subjected to the crimes committed by illegals crossing our border, or the poor illegals who cross into our country. If it’s the latter you need to wake up. Cross into Mexico illegally and see what happens, you’ll probably be put in a prison for 10 years and it won’t be like an American prison.
Bob, you make a good point.
While on a business trip in Guadalajara I walked in on a conversation between my Mexican Colleagues regarding America not letting everyone just walk in. I simply said “Folks, I just came into your country. I had to go through customs, had my belongings inspected, and had to show my “papers.” I was asked why I was entering, what I was doing, and how long I was staying. Now, if I had not followed your country’s processes and entered illegally, what would happen to me?”
Conversation ended.
Excellent point, Spike. Thanks! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Great answer! I guess I never thought of that. Should be published so more can see it and understand. I feel sorry for those coming into the states but somewhere it has to end.
Your exactly correct Spike. I immigrated into the USA about 35 years ago. I was married to an American and it still took me almost a year to get a green card. The process back then included a 100% full body check and I mean every inch of my body was inspected for who knows what but most of the physical was spent on the privates. Nowadays, no inspection, no verifiable background checks, no money needed and if you have holes in your shoes from the walk, no problem we’ll give you a EBT card and reload it for you once in a while.
For the record, I got my citizenship about 10 years later, PROUDEST DAY OF MY LIFE becoming an AMERICAN citizen.
We arrived with about $1,500.00 in cash. A young daughter, no place to live, a car payment and no jobs. If that’s homeless, we were. Put my nose down and got to work on fulfilling my duties as a responsible father, husband and a greatful legal resident.
Proud to have you here, Cancel!
Thanks. No words to describe how proud I am to be here. (and thankful)
As a fellow immigrant, I applaud you.
My Dad’s trial to get into the US between 1955 and 1963 was even steeper than yours. Along with cash and paperwork, he had to have a job and a sponsor or no entry. He also had issues with people walking across the border when he had to follow all of the rules to get in. It really irked him that some people could just walk in and live, apparently without consequences.
If we set historical immigration policies, Latin American political/social strife and economic/security realities aside, it’s hard to not feel some resentment when you followed the rules and paid your dues and someone else comes along and just walks in.
Even when you take all of the above into context, it’s still hard for documented, rule following immigrants like us to see both sides of the story. I try look at the bigger picture, but I still remember my Dad’s disgust.
Glad you made it in Cancelproof.
Thanks Kim. I’m glad your here too. No place on Earth like the USA. I believe my American wife qualified as my sponsor back then, and may have negated some of the requirement for cash in my equation. Enjoyed your posts.
Good morning, Cancelproof. Kim’s our IT Dude, so we’re very glad he’s here, too!👍😁 Have a great day. 😀 -Diane at RVtravel.com (but you know that😉)
Seriously?? You understand that the VAST majority of illegal immigrants are NOT from Mexico right?? All of those people illegally crossed the southern Mexican border before they made it to the US border. So I suspect Mexicans understand that little or nothing would have happened to you…
Very good try backcountry.
Given that the Mexican Gov’t knows that the ones crossing from the south are continuing to head North to the USA and are Just passing through, it is a misdirection. Your point only holds water if the central Americans come to Mexico to stay in Mexico to live and acheive “The Mexican Dream”. You cannot move to Mexico and live without approval from the Mexican authorities. Try and buy some real estate in Mexico even if your there legally. You can’t.
2 different scenarios. Spike is 100% correct but good try on that one. Sounds good right up until reality is introduced.
When the number 1 export of a country is the people, who send back money into the country they left via Western Union to the tune of hundreds of billions per year and our own govt. does not stop that simple practice, then blah, blah, blah. Right, sorry the topic is homelessness, not immigration …. so how about the $75,000.00 per year the US taxpayer spends to HOUSE AND FEED AND CLOTH AND MEDICAL AND SCHOOL each Illegal. $75K each. Maybe a bit of that cash stack could help alleviate some of our American brothers and sisters in a state of crisis for drugs and homelessness. Speaking of drugs, #2 export of Mexico now.
Excellent point.
I’m grateful to have found your comment. The attitude in most of the others had totally turned me off to ever accepting an invite to an RV park, let alone get into the lifestyle myself. But that stereotyping is exactly the issue that was hurtful in the first place. I’m sure that even past the dog-whistles and talking points, such people are also capable of compassion. Thank you for speaking up!
Compassion is important but I think many are compassionate but fed up with inaction. Anyone involved should understand the term enabling ….allowing it , looking the other way or providing a way to sustain it is an enabler and a part of the problem. Drug addiction or mental issues or the combination makes most of the folks being discussed un employable. Down on luck and not Finding a job isn’t the problem. It may be what led to the real problem but not their current one. Society needs order without it anarchy is the result.
we can’t have anarchy in the campground so whats the solution to truly help those who may not want or refuse help in their addiction or mental crisis ? It’s not letting them do whatever because “ they can’t help it”
Please, can you tell me one of the many dog whistles your talking about. I am serious in my question, I’m not just being flip with the question. I sure would like to know a talking point or 2 you reference as well if you will take the time answer my question. Thank you in advance.
At what point are you responsible for yourself? Asking for a friend.
Yep.
My hubby and I are weekend warriors, not full timers, so our experience camping is usually state and national parks. We rarely camp at private RV parks. The first time we noticed homelessness was at an private RV park on a trip in Colorado about three years ago. We had a pop up trailer at the time & had stayed in two private campgrounds and two state parks on that trip. The last place we stayed at was a private RV park with a lot of people living there. We were placed next to another pop up for the night. That pop up was clearly old and falling apart. It looked awful and held a family of five and a dog. They lived in it there full time. It was pretty clear after talking with them that this was the end of the line for them. It was this or true homelessness on the streets. It broke my heart, especially for their kids, who didn’t have a choice in their parents’ habits and addictions. We had a sleepless night, as they were up all night partying. It was eye-opening for us.
We had an older guy next to us in Florida two years ago in an old 5th wheel. He had no idea how to do anything RV related. I knew this was all he had, so I helped him as much as I could. He was a nice person, but he had created most of his own problems He tried to work around the area, but jobs he could handle were few and far between. A few others helped him some too, but others, for no reason, treated him poorly. After a few months the owners found a lame reason to kick him out. I felt bad, he was doing his best to try to survive, and was a friendly guy. Wherever he is I hope he is doing ok, and finding others willing to help him.
We live in northern NV and are lucky to have several state CG’s nearby (within 60 miles at the farthest). With our “geezer passes” ($30/yr) we can stay ‘free’ for up to two weeks. Over the 20 years we’ve been camping in these parks we’ve noticed a ‘group’ of seemingly homeless campers who are regulars. We’ve assigned names to them. Mr. Dodge, the shipping crate camper. the boys, Adrienn, etc. None will accept help. We and others have offered, especially in the colder months. Then the state started installing electricity and in some cases water. Now, even with a geezer pass it’s $10/night. Ok for us, but not them. NOW the state is beginning an online reservation system later in the year, even if you want just a day-use pass. Not sure what these regulars are going to do about this. Heck, even I don’t want to get a reservation just to eat lunch at the park(s).
You make it sound like the state is doing a bad thing. “Not sure what these regulars are going to do about this.” What everybody else has to do – make their reservations and pay their 10.00 per night like the rest of us.
I’m referring to these ‘homeless’ types who I’m pretty sure don’t have computers in their cars. Probably not phones either. They always stay in the non-electric areas which are still free (so to speak) with their geezer passes. Just drive in and stay (like we do).
We go to an rv park often that is pretty much off the beaten path. Until about 2 years ago they had very few instances of homelessness there. Then a few weeks ago there was a man who came in and asked if he could use the bbq pit a couple of spaces away (the pits are furnished by the park). He then put a can of food directly in the fire until it exploded-making a mess. Another woman came into another area of the park and asked if she could lay down on a patch of lawn near another site. She slept there for a few hours then got up and left. These instances were both pretty harmless but we’ve seen more of this lately. After 5 o’clock the place takes on a different look- non guests and other people come in, they start fishing off the dock and a guy came in with a van full of dogs.- He let them all relieve themselves then loaded them back up and left. I wish they had a camp host or someone who could watch over the place after hours.
I use to think I was helping up by giving a few dollars to people begging. Although I cannot paint it with a wide brush, I came to the conclusion that I was helping someone with an addiction. I do believe that there are many people with mental illness however due to most if not all states closing mental state run institutions they have nowhere to go. During the Great Depression we had the CCC that provided food and shelter to those struggling. It’s a shame that our society, court systems, and etc has determined it to be a bad practice.
I see it all the time as a public transit bus driver. We had a “Homeless, down on my luck, Anything, God bless” sign guy who would get on the bus at the end of the day to ride back to his apartment in another city, counting his wad of cash and boasting he made more than us in a day. NEVER give beggars money, offer them food and see what happens. They are using most of the money for smokes, drugs, and alcohol. No one in the U.S. needs to beg for anything. There are services and programs in every U.S. town and city and for the hard-hit areas, groups of social workers who canvass homeless camps to try to get them assistance and off the streets. They need to bring back mental institutions – many of these folks are a danger to themselves and others. We, even in a rural area with a few small cities, have to deal with their violent and unpredictable behavior every day. It was a HUGE mistake to close down those hospitals and turn those people out.
I agree, Pam. Up until recently, when I would see a person on a street corner wearing a “sandwich board” to earn a day’s wages, I would pull into the nearest parking lot and walk up to them and hand them a $20 bill, and thank them for working and not panhandling. You should have seen the joy on their faces. It made me feel soooo good to make them feel good. I haven’t seen any of them lately, probably because I don’t get out much. But I’d do it again if I had the opportunity. Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Recently camped at San Clemente State Beach (CA State Park), there were no fewer than ten encampments in the visitor parking and day use area. Some appeared to be living out of their cars, vans and/or RVs and others may have been just moving through. The majority were there the entire duration of my three day stay. For the most part, Park staff ignored them and left them alone even though they lacked the evidence of payment (i.e., no receipt on windshield).
I feel sad for my fellow Americans that find themselves in bad situation mostly of their own making and angry at my own government for putting other countries first with Americans tax money when they’re Americans that need help veterans that need help that the government ignores
No disrespect but what does this have to do with RV Travel?
Will the next “relevant” story be about a pregnant teen leaning on a trailer hitch so the subject of abortion can be raised?
It seems disingenuous to say you expressed “discomfort talking about Dix because he couldn’t defend himself” while you’re full game to write about him with your opinions thrown into the mix.
It’s virtue signalling.
Unfortunately Vince, homelessness impacts RVing. Moreover, the story is relevant to society as a whole and because RVers are a sub-demo in society, it will be relevant to RVers. Ignoring a reality does not change the reality. The reality does not disappear if we ignore it, no matter how uncomfortable the reality is.
An example of ignoring the reality of homelessness is our Gov’t that cleans up a street corner the day before a photo op and then tells you what a good of a job they are doing. “What problem? I don’t see a problem!” We get what we vote for and pretending it is not worse is itself, a problem. Homelessness, drug addiction and all related crimes are at the highest levels since the great depression, 1930s. Ignore it if you want to. A wig on a pig is just a pig with a wig.
Wow. Hey, how about you just hit the “unsubscribe” button instead of subject the rest of us to your hateful rhetoric.
I disagree RP, respectfully. I think Vince said his piece, got a few replies, including yours and he will either engage or not.
You and I engage each other, we seldom see the world the same, but at least we aren’t trying to silence or cancel each other (anymore). I respect your opinion whether I agree or not.
Hey Vince, the story is about homelessness in campgrounds. So sort of spot on, wouldn’t you say?
The comments, meh, not so much. But when we run a story about an issue as polarizing as homelessness we have to expect that the comments will go astray from the issue of homeless people living in campgrounds and stray into, oh I dunno, immigration, unemployment, and some dude living in a tent with a 55″ TV. (Really repressing the urge to use the term “urban boondocking”)
Hey Kim, given that RVing is a subset demographic for our country, and most RVers own stix and brix homes in actual neighborhoods in actual cities and towns, it should come as no surprise that the impact of homelessness for the majority of your readers is not limited to campgrounds. The topic did not stray into immigration and unemployment, unless you believe that the 3 are not related in any way? No corelation between between homelessness and work or drugs? Nor is a homeless man in a tent with a projection TV unrelated to homelessness in general because oh yeah, he is homeless and oh yeah, has no job.
We ALL are one paycheck from impoverishment. especially w/ TODAY’s economy. Safety nets are dwindling.
Every time my rig goes in for maintenance I shudder…there goes the budget
First world problem.
Please let’s stop this stupid “we’re all only a missed paycheck” nonsense. If you have half a brain you are never in danger of being in this predicament. Maybe even a quarter of a brain.
My spouse and I are NOT one paycheck away from impoverishment. We worked hard, saved and invested. Speak for yourself.
I don’t understand, with all the jobs out there, why aren’t these people working.
Why work? I watched a local “on the street journalist” from Los Angeles about 3 weeks ago interview a homeless man at his tent. He had a movie streaming on a 45 inch screen with a projection TV, a subwoofer a center speaker and two front speakers. The camera guy showed his very new laptop, his Verizon JetPack, and a pretty comfy looking bean bag chair set up and an end table (with a crack pipe on it, in full view).
When asked about power, he said he takes his power pack to the train station and recharges it every couple of days instead of stealing power. Sounds like stealing to me but at least he was honest.
When asked about getting off the street, he replied “why?” “I have everything I need, no bills to pay, I’m dry, I’m happy, I have an EBT card from the Gov’t and people give me money”. There is your answer. He’s NOT HOMELESS. His housing is just not traditional.
Mental illness.
Drugs?
Or alternative living options. Everyone has a different reason/situation. I am retired and house-free, living in a trailer full-time. I also work/volunteer 30+ hours per week while staying at parks and campgrounds to earn my spot and hookups. I love my lifestyle. What exactly is the definition of homelessness? It varies with the person.
Maybe it could be differentiated by being “houseless” as opposed to “homeless.”🤔 Just because someone doesn’t live in a sticks-n-bricks (i.e., house) doesn’t mean they’re homeless. Have a good night, Lisa. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Hi Lisa, that’s kind of what I’m saying about the guy on the street. He’s not homeless, he’s just not in a normal society approved living situation. He likes his program in his tent with his 45″ TV and home theater set up. I think he needs to get off the street because it interferes with the tax paying publics access to the tax paying business owners on that street but he is happy about his situation, (for now). Maybe he should pick a piece of dirt outside of town or a drainage ditch or the front lawn at city hall, or at the very least the street in front of the governor’s mansion in Sacramento.
Many of them don’t want to. My husband offered one a job several years ago and the guy turned him down. Said he made more holding his sign on street corners.
And you think that makes the beggar wrong? You made his point for him. They jobs he can get pay less than the scraps and change he collects. And he actually gets to keep all of it. Sounds like maybe not enough is trickling down 🤷♂️
Maybe it’s the hours that the Hobo didn’t like. Maybe waking at 7:00 am was a non-starter for the beggar. Maybe he had a job once before and simply didn’t like structure. Maybe he knew he could not pass a drug screen. Maybe he overvalued himself thus making himself unemployable, that is to say he valued himself at $150.00/hour of trickle down and the best offer he got for his product (labor/,time) was $120.00/hour of trickle down.
I have heard so many times since covid people actually say “well, for $25.00/hour, I’ll just stay home. My time is worth more than that”. The problem there is that people sometimes place a higher value on their time than a potential employer. Solution; become the employer. Figure out how to sign the front of the paychecks. That way you decide the flow of trickle in the trickle down.
Just stop, Cancelproof. You’re not helping. Your judgement, based on pure speculation and assumptions, does nothing to help the problem and, by assuming everyone has the same ability to negotiate life’s pecadillos as you do, harms folks who, for whatever reason, cannot. If this is indeed the “Greatest country on earth” why are so many of us struggling to find housing, health care and suitable employment? Hint: it’s not the unhoused folks fault.
Ahhhh, “suitable” employment. Thanks for making my point stronger. Suitable, not just plain old employment.
I always think people who are so bothered by those who don’t want to work must just be control freaks. I mean, dude, they don’t want to work. Who are you to say or even think they should?
Personally, I don’t want to work either. I never have. So screw everyone. Thankfully, for me, I was able to earn a lot of money not working terribly hard. But I still remember the days when I was stuck watching a clock in an office where someone else controlled my every move including even when I get to sleep, eat, and have free time. No thanks.
You don’t have the right to insist that anyone work. You just don’t. End of story.
But we do have the right to not be forced to pay support (tax money) to able-bodied people who just don’t want to work for their needs and wants. I’m all for helping those who can’t work (the elderly, severely disabled, mentally ill), but not for those who choose not to work.
WOW, holy honesty!!! I really appreciate that level of honesty. I disagree but I absolutely love that you say what you think and feel outloud. Mad respect for that.
If hypothetically I were to agree with you, would the same apply to those same people for welfare, medicaid and SNAP? It may be a bit savage but if you say yes, it’s a pretty Libertarian perspective where in fact your saying that a persons only God given right is to starve to death. If you want to eat, you figure it out, usually through work but if you simply don’t want to work, you don’t have to work but starvation is then an option on the table. As is clothing, shelter, warm blankets, treated water, electricity, sewage, no bus rides, no Pandora, no XBox.
Are you good with that too?
Fill out an application: Address? None. Phone #? None. Will you get the job?
Most homeless people have a hard time with hygiene, so that said would you hire someone who had dirty clothes and unshaven or uncombed hair and a scraggy beard, I don’t think so but I see you have one dilemma, you ask pathetical questions, as I said earlier in one of my comments walk a mile in the homeless shoes, leave your purse, phone and wallet at home, spend a couple nights in a homeless shelter and then judge, I believe your perspective will change. bottom line they are humans and Americans.
THINK ABOUT IT.
We stayed in a campground turned KOA Near Titusville and more than half were “seasonals” most living in a fenced area, but not all. Some tents were obviously homeless and they would come and go. We’ve stayed in state parks in FL where people obviously were not campers (because they lacked some very basic equipment that tenters would have (lack of a tent, or chair to sit on, etc.). But this would give them a place where they could get showers and do some laundry before hitting the road again. My heart goes out to these people because for the majority this is not a choice. It makes me grateful for what I have.
I understand and appreciate your compassion. Life can be very complicated and we aren’t in a place to judge others’ situations if we don’t know them. I live in my trailer full-time as a workamper and I am very grateful to have a (tiny) roof over my head.
He has cigarettes. Explain that.
What vice would you have, “IF” you had NOTHING?
Typical heartless reply.
He gets $800 a month and rents in his area are $900, There is a long wait on public housing, (if list is open at all) it’s a rural area, and no mission. No Salvation Army. His struggle is VERY real. As long as he abides by the rules, he has just as much of a right to be there, as you or I do. WHO does FRANK think he is? How does FRANK know about the situation, and IF what FRANK said is true, the authorities will move Dixon, on. Sounds to me that FRANK likes to stir the pot, and needs to get a life.
Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. If he smokes he won’t have to eat as much. Even “Judgy McJudgerson” can see the benefit in that. Your comment says far more about you and your faults than it does about his.
The root cause of real estate inflation is corporate greed. Housing has become a commodity bought and sold for profit-think air b and b- or housing is used to shelter excessive income. Until we introduce social housing -like the Austrian government instituted in the early 20th century -those market driven problems will continue to dump poor people into the street and onto the dole. Vote for permanent social housing that is built to house middle income folk as well as students, and people who work in service industries. Don’t disparage individuals as undeserving until you see the systemic issues at play forcing them into campgrounds. The numbers indicate it’s not just creeps avoiding work. I recommend watching Netflix’s “The Maid”.
Hi Suzanne, while I can agree with you that a portion, maybe 10% or so of the home price issue is investment related, the increased price of homes is more related to subsidies from the govt. Just like student loans via the govt have driven college tuition up through guarantees to the universities for student loans, the same involvement from or govt impacts real estate the same way.
The government as an example will subsidize in some areas up to a $1,000,000 mortgage through incentives. It falsely inflates the market. If we go straight free market without subsidies for real estate, then builders and lenders and existing homeowners will be forced to become more competitive. Apply the student loan fiasco principle to mortgages. If colleges couldn’t charge $60,000/ year, they wouldn’t but Gov’t involvement through loan guarantees and ease of obtaining loans drives that industry. Cheers.
I am a campground owner, and know from first hand experience the effects of the housing dilemma. I offer seasonal sites, as well as monthly sites, and it’s the monthly customers that put me right in the middle of the crisis. I failed to see the effects of renting out monthly until it was too late. I have had to intervene in substance abuse, domestic violence, and even threats of violence against me personally, dealing with folks that are just an inch above being homeless. I lost three of my seasonal customers due to the problems with them having to deal with these behaviors, which caused me to lose over $6000 in revenue. I have had some success in helping people out of their difficult times by offering them an alternative means of living, but that’s been the exception, not the rule. My approach now is continue being empathetic, but not sympathetic. With respect to the work for rent piece, my approach has been allowing individuals to work off fifty percent of their lot, or cabin rent.
Thanks for sharing your firsthand experience, Bill.
Young man if you rent tent sites to people who don’t drink, don’t smoke or do drugs and can pay lot rent will you rent me a spot, I keep my area clean and keep to myself, I can afford $700.00 a month, although I’m 67 I can still finish drywall, the VA says if I work I lose my 100% service connected pension so everything I do is voluntary and I enjoy it to, I don’t know if I’m allowed to put my phone number here but I’m gonna try: 910-703-0643, I enjoy helping those who can’t help themselves, my 12th general order.
Sorry, but if you are 100% service connected and 67 years old, that’s $3,600+ per month tax free on top of your social security benefits. Not feeling sorry for anyone with those financials
Thanks for that clarification Paul. I didn’t know the answer and was hoping for a post that put it together for me on the true bottom line.
Hey Paulie,I don’t need you to feel sorry for her, you’re right but to be totally honest I receive $4,538.00 every month,but before that I spent 38913.00 on 4 Ukrainian soldiers who were at fort Bragg NC going through special forces training,I bought pvs-14’s three to be exact,3 IOTV’s,3 complete gen4 ceramic plates to include groin and side plates and 3 ACH, We became friends and I’d do it again and again because it’s what God put on my heart.I don’t need your Democrat selfish pity and you can [bleeped].
Thank you, Gail! We have not noticed any apparently homelessness in any campgrounds in our travels. We did have an instance of a squatter once, several years ago (2017). We arrived after dark after a long day of driving (~12 hours). As we approached our reserved site, DW saw that a smallish class B with a roof that elevates was parked in our site. She persuaded the resident to move after assuring him that our 43′ DP would not fit elsewhere in the campground. He moved his rig to another site and was gone before sunup. We did not see his rig again during that visit, or any of our succeeding visits since then (usually twice annually).
I used to give cash to the people with signs along the roads(at stop signs and stop lights) here in the city I live in. I stopped because I would be broke if I kept giving all of them money. Also I got tired of them standing there begging when I stood for 8 or 12 hours at my first job as a grocery store cashier (a long time ago). And I stood on tired feet at many other jobs that I held over the decades. My feet got sore, my legs hurt, I was sleep deprived (the night shift job for 23 years) but always, always I was working at the tasks assigned by my employer and earning my money by working. I am a compassionate person and it is difficult for me to ignore the people at the stop lights but I have learned to just ignore them. I can’t afford to constantly give them money. And they ask for money at motels, at highway rest stops, at store parking lots. I’ve never been approached asking for money at a campground but I don’t camp much anymore. Sounds like camping isn’t what it used to be
This is a very interesting discussion considering I am one of those homeless people. My girlfriend and I were on the verge of losing our home that we rented due to my health brought on by substance abuse. We decided to take the show on the road. Big mistake. It is extremely difficult to manage all of the unmanageability. I am now in recovery and trying to earn money as a rideshare driver. While my girlfriend works her 9 to 5 remote job. Due to the state of the economy and my health, I do not think we will ever get out of the rut we are in. We do frequent campgrounds with our tent and SUV. Unfortunately even tenting has become too expensive. Crazy, right? We spend more time at rest stops over campgrounds. At night these rest stops all fill up with families who are homeless living out of a vehicle just like us. As I sit outside my vehicle in South Philly taking a break from my job and my girlfriend is at a cheap sketchy hotel. I am utterly exhausted but grateful for you.
Good luck, Joe. We wish you continued success with your recovery. It sounds like you’re on the right track. Just gotta hang in there and keep plugging along. Onward and upward, I frequently say.🤞 Take care. 🤗 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Joe, good for you in admitting your personal problems. However, right now you cannot go anywhere in the country without seeing Help Wanted signs. I understand that many businesses would probably be reluctant be hire a former substance abuser, but if you are truly honest with your road to reform this country is full of campsites for labor. Part of todays debate about the migrant crisis is that Americans won’t work the dirty jobs anymore. Well Joe get your hands dirty, stay clean and you will have a future to look forward to. Nobody is going to do it for you.
Check out Cheaprvliving.com and Homesonwheelsalliance.org. Cheap RV is what brought van and car living to light and Homes helps those with vehicles prepare them to live in and even donates tents and vehicles to those in need.
I remember one video Bob Wells did about a lady living in her sedan and how she had set it up. She told him she got some small amount of social security and lived on less than half of it. She had saved enough money to buy a piece of land planned to continue to live in her car until she had enough to get the property fixed up for her to get an RV or a tiny house to put on it.
Some interesting stories there.
I’m retired & traveling the country in my RV fulltime. I’ve stayed in campgrounds, ranches (out west), farms (back east) and even in a couple really posh neighborhoods (where a resident has a few private RV sites like a camping Air B&B). The 3 basic reason people live in TVs are: retirement, choice (employed or not) & economic/medical (including addiction). And while some of the people in “group 3” can be kinda sketchy, I’ve never had a bad experience. My personal view is that “group 3” shouldn’t exist. Our society is big & prosperous enough to help the economic & medical refugees. And it is an outright sin that we don’t!
The general public would be truly amazed and surprised if they knew the skill set certain homeless individuals possessed. Just like regular society there are good and bad in every class distinction. Giving responsibility like yard maintenance in exchange for suitable living by Rv parks could greatly benefit both parties as long as it’s lawful and policy is adhered to.
Some years ago we camphosted in an urban campground that saw (over a 3 yr period) an elderly woman w/dementia get dropped off in a pop-up by her family, a suicide, a fire in an old motorhome & “full timers” who were really working poor just scraping by. If they couldn’t pay they left for a few days & spent time at Walmarts or similar before returning. The campground was not fancy, no amenities but a great location. As more working poor were present fewer who could afford to pay came. The last time I drove through that campground it was in pretty sad shape. I fully support the campground owners who want to keep their grounds up and serve a clientele who can afford to pay. That’s why they’re in business. Campground owners are not social workers. We will always have poor people who need help but even the services provided by communities, states and numerous religious & civic organizations are insufficient. The homeless problem overflowed into the campground years ago.
Homeless person checking in! Full time in a trailer or bus for the last 4.5 years. You’d be shocked how many of the people you’re camping next to are homeless. Most of us just don’t tell anybody because of the stigma involved. (Looking at you Catherine who commented that us homeless people are mentally ill or on drugs…..)
I work seasonally as a ski patroller and wildland fire fighter. So I’m often out of work for 1-3 months and I travel for my jobs. Without people like me, you don’t have resorts, you don’t have campgrounds, you don’t have seasonal recreation, you don’t have retail, you don’t have a vacation.
Instead of asking about how to solve the homelessness “problem”…. Maybe you should be asking yourself how much you’re benefiting off us homeless. Because I make 15 bucks an hour saving your life and I’m not even guaranteed a lunch break.
Thank you for your thoughtful remarks, Jon (sticks-n-bricks-less person). We appreciate your input, and we certainly appreciate the very important work you do for the public. Thank you! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
…and without customers paying for said services said services don’t exist…and without said services…jobs don’t
exist…
…and then our so called government steps in and creates the division seen in this thread…
The government didn’t do it ,we the people did it to ourselves by trusting people like me and you to have the one thing our petty little country has forgotten:
Jesus Christ!
Jon- you are not “homeless” If you are paying for your RV site or have some other legal agreement with its owner, If that is the case, you are not squatting. You are a transient worker.
Big Big difference.
Now, if you park in my neighborhood and attempt to live on our street, I’ll call the police and press for you to move on. I’ve done that twice this month and the squatter was booted out in less than an hour.
Feel sorry for you, as you lack the one organ that keeps life going “HEART”
Absolutely agree. Small people feel the need to judge those they don’t know.
Jon, your not the demo discussed in this article or posts. Your a ski bum that lives life with a small footprint and no one, not a single person that has posted here has disparaged your lifestyle. A huge number of RVers do not have traditional permanent homes and are not considered “homeless”. Rock on. Enjoy the ride. Munch some moguls and carve on. Stay safe this fire season. Thanks for choosing a path most don’t or won’t. Your houseless not homeless.
Yep, I thought this article did a perfect job not reaching the truth about homelessness. Just virtue signaling a homeless subject. Thank you for working your hiny off for $15 an hour. People living in their own stupidity.
Exactly. Ignorance and hate is the problem, not people we who are poor. Virtue signaling…right on the button.
I’m 67 retired veteran of the USMC, I waited 10 yrs for the VA to grant my claim and finally I won, I bought a truck and camper and gave the rest of the money away, I still have the truck I sold the camper which cost 35,000.00 Coleman Rubicon wasn’t worth the money, sold it for 16K,I’m homeless right now living in a tent when I can and the mosquitoes aren’t trying to dine off me and when they are I sleep in my pickup truck, I don’t like my living conditions but since the Democrat COVID that mysteriously disappeared hit all rents and homes tripled in prices causing us seniors to live the best we can, I gave my church $13,000.00 no receipt no thanks nothing and God forbid you need help the pastor sends you to operation blessing here in Fayetteville NC, don’t knock the homeless, cause unless you have walked a mile in there shoes you’ll never understand where they are coming from. all to often I consider hanging myself with a sign around my neck that reads homeless nobody.
Hey Mike, thanks for chiming in. You said an awful lot in all your replies to the posts of others. Firstly, thank you for your service and Semper Fi.
Second, thanks for invoking Jesus Christ into the conversation. Your correct that more of Jesus in our society is desperately needed.
Were I in NC, I would certainly look you up and get some drywall work on your schedule. I am not.
Do not judge those you feel are heartless to much. We are $20 trillion in for the war on poverty and its going the wrong way. Most otherwise generous people are feeling a little burned watching it get flushed and are simply trying to be more creative in giving. Including burned by your pastor it appears. Keep the faith, no sign nor rope needed. You are loved.
God wouldn’t condone you taking your life. Feeling sorry for yourself won’t get you anywhere either. You made some bad decisions in your life, so try to make some good decisions. 👍
First of all I worked hard for close to fifty years. It wasn’t always easy. We were never promised a bed of roses and as far as that goes nothing is just handed to you. I see humans everywhere I travel holding up signs asking for help. I believe if the person is still young and isn’t crippled they are still able to work for their needs. I don’t pity them whatsoever. If they are handicapped then that’s a different story. I have no problem helping them. My whole life I never had a problem finding a job. All depends how bad you want one. If they can walk to a park then they can walk to a job.
“Homelessness” of one form or another has been part of camping culture in the U.S. for a long time. See “Camping Grounds – Public Nature in American Life from the Civil War to the Occupy Movement” by Phoebe S. K. Young, Oxford University Press (2021).
I love RVTravel.com
It’s better than Facebook,Twitter parler and truth social,the editors have to screen all comments to keep the peace,they don’t violate our 1st amendment and they do have a valid point about homeless people, and I believe the young Lady who’s the editor has tried homeless in order to have a perspective dialogue for real opinions looking for solutions not condemnation of the homeless,many said I wasted the 227,966.95 that the VA gave me last year,but fact is I helped ppl,law enforcement too when gas was so high they couldn’t afford gas to get to work.pity is not what homeless need,they need your PRAYERS.
I’m never a fan of participating in these communal campfire get togethers between strangers at campgrounds. I don’t mind chatting a little about travel, but i don’t want to hear other people’s opinions on politics and social issues, which is where things inevitably end up veering.
Rose Bay in Port Orange, FL has more homeless people than I’ve ever seen!
Sounds like Dixon isn’t causing trouble. I don’t consider him homeless, he seemed quite content with his life, but you were not content with his life. It is none of your business how people live as long as it isn’t hurting you. Not your feelings, you. You may have had more to add, such as truth to the gossip campfire had you taken the time to say hello. Home is different to many people, so don’t assume someone in an old camp trailer on a campground is homeless. Today’s way of helping the homeless is enabling, and it would be wise to make sure that we do not enable or oppress people who are homeless due to addictions. Not all people are homeless due to addiction, some are homeless because we got priced out of our home, or lost a job that was paycheck to paycheck. But if people are homeless and they destroy property they should be held accountable by the law. If homeless people are not hurting other people’s property, they should be left alone as you are left alone.
When you are without an apartment/house, you toggle between the haters who don’t know you or the facts and the hated, those who have given up and resign themselves to the situation. I’m an urban camper with a new commercial vehicle for 15 years who wears thrift store designer good clothes, college grad, drug/alcohol/sex/cigarette free, business owner, I stay far away from any drama and have given up on tiny house or rv community because I like my freedom to pick up and go and I’ve made it work for me. I would love a job but a s___k of a judge took care of that, so at almost 70 I will declare myself totally disabled to resolve the deceptive student loan debacle. I will save to finance my online Masters trauma degree from my $1200 ss retirement check and continue to study neuroplasticity and truck repair at a local pay-to-learn shop where I am becoming intimate with the engine and concern myself with self evaluation and preoccupation with what My Savior Yeshua Messiah thinks about me
I’m a 33 yr old female..My boyfriend and I are experiencing homelessness right now and have been going from campground to campground for months in a tent.. he’s a veteran, was an airborne ranger and the VA doesn’t help at all!… He’s got a decent job at the moment, works his butt off because it’s in his nature and it’s more of the fact that there’s nothing to rent for a decent price in our area.. there’s just nothing and we’ve had more bad luck than anything but stay positive and have met some awesome fellow campers… The only thing I have to express is.. f**k most of the government and politicians!! They’re the ones to blame for ungodly high prices and making it hard for your average Joe to live while they all get rich.. they especially don’t care about the people that go fight the war that they create.. otherwise camping ROCKS 😊
I’ll put it right out there: as an unhoused person I’m tired of being judged by RVers or anyone else. The ignorance has been fueled from the beginning and nobody, including media and “experts” bothers to put out the real facts. Do any of you know that there is a shortage of over 7 million units of low-income housing? Doesn’t that say it all right there? How can you judge anybody for being unhoused when there isn’t housing? You were fed this nonsense that we’re all drunks or “mentally ill”. It doesn’t matter that’s that’s not true, it’s convenient to have a way to blame the victim. Beyond the fact that it’s untrue, do you consider that there’s plenty of substance abuse and “mental illness ” at all income levels? Doesn’t that negate that argument and blame?
RVers often leave trash and even dump blackwater in campgrounds but it’s unhoused people who get blamed. How convenient. There’s much more to be said but none of it will change because it’s convenient to have black sheep.
At our favorite campground as of 2019, today all but 14 RV spaces are now rented monthly. It definitely makes it harder to find a vacation campsite to have people living there, but it’s privately owned and they have the right to rent it out any way they want. They are getting almost $800/month for those, and no longer offer tent camping. We’re now sticking to state and US forest campgrounds where there is less competition for a site.