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A new kind of van life: $180 to camp for seven months

05.05.2026 16:51 1 min 1 source
the Guardian ENG
A new kind of van life: $180 to camp for seven months
Original source: the Guardian

Rising housing costs in the US are driving more people to live in motorhomes, RVs, and camper vans on public lands. In Quartzsite, Arizona, a permit for camping from September to April costs $180 and includes trash collection and toilets. According to HUD, the number of 'unsheltered' people (including vehicle residents) reached a record 274,000 in 2024. Experts describe this as 'economic refugeeism' and note that public lands are becoming the only legal geography for long-term habitation.

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A new kind of van life: $180 to camp for seven months

05.05.2026 the Guardian ENG Original source
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