LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – As local governments continue to crack down on growing homeless encampments, some homeless advocates are trying to help people on the streets obey the law: they are giving them tiny mobile campers with wheels.
A group of volunteers has built close to 50 of these tiny mobile campers, bringing them to the unhoused. Some are as small as shopping carts, and others are as big as tiny sheds.
If someone is ordered to move their encampment, a person can wheel it away and make sure they keep their belongings, from ID cards, birth certificates, to clothing and personal items.
“If the people could put their stuff into some type of a structure and wheel it out, it would be easier for the entities that perform the sweeps to do their jobs, and it would leave the area more clean,” said James McCabe, who helps build these structures.
McCabe explains that many people who are unhoused face challenges getting off the streets: sometimes shelters are full. Others do not accept pets or have a place to store personal belongings. Other places only accept people who are off drugs; if someone still struggles with addiction, they may end up getting kicked out and back on the streets.
McCabe said that local leaders need creative solutions, now, to tackle the homeless crisis.
“I think if the community groups work together with the government, the government work with the community groups, everybody would win,” he said.
One of the people who recently received a camper was Susan Reams, a Boulder City resident who fell on tough times; she said that when she tried to contact resources through 311, various shelters were full.
Reams connected with McCabe and other volunteers and they donated a camper for her. “It’s very challenging to be unhoused. From the bottom of my heart, I’m grateful,” she said.
There are challenges with where people can legally place these tiny campers. Reams has been moved from private property, twice; she said she is searching for a solution in someone’s backyard. Local jurisdictions have various rules regarding “tiny homes” on private property.
FOX5 has covered the rise of the unhoused using traditional, large RVs across the Las Vegas Valley.
According to the County Constable, there are various code violations with traditional RVs and campers: LVMPD said that RVs parked on the street can cause problems for drivers, or safety hazards with issues like fires.
Leaders are looking for permanent solutions. A $200 million project is planned to tackle Las Vegas Valley homeless crisis and add hundreds more beds for the unhoused of all demographics.
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