My neighbor, Billy, has lived for 17 years in a 20-foot-long recreational vehicle parked within a mostly industrial, but now gentrifying, neighborhood in Seattle.
A 66-year-old former carpet layer and handyman, Billy says he wants to move out of his RV, but he doesn't have the income, savings and credit or rental history to rent in Seattle's expensive housing market. The lack of off-street space for his vehicle and city parking restrictions offer few options for leaving his home unattended while he finds employment, housing or social service assistance.
I asked Billy once if he used services designed for the homeless. He paused, then answered, “I'm not homeless. This RV is my home.”
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