Living at the Intersection: Laws & Vehicle Residency

Seattle University School of Law, Homeless Rights Advocacy Project, 2016

64 Pages Posted: 8 May 2016 Last revised: 20 May 2016

See all articles by Jessica So

Jessica So

Seattle University, School of Law, Students

Scott MacDonald

Seattlle University, School of Law, Students

Justin Olson

Seattlle University, School of Law, Students

Ryan Mansell

Seattle University, School of Law, Students

Sara Rankin

Seattle University School of Law

Date Written: May 9, 2016

Abstract

When faced with the possibility of living entirely without shelter, people experiencing homelessness are turning in greater numbers to the last refuge they have available: their vehicles. This brief examines vehicle residency throughout Washington State, including the unique struggles faced by vehicle residents and the increasingly punitive response by local municipalities. The findings reveal that cities both embrace direct criminalization of vehicle residency as well as turn a blind eye to the disproportionate impact of traffic penalties — including both fines and vehicle impoundment — on a population that has no reasonable alternatives.

Keywords: homeless, vehicle, criminalization, shelter, constitutional law, poverty

Suggested Citation

So, Jessica and MacDonald, Scott and Olson, Justin and Mansell, Ryan and Rankin, Sara, Living at the Intersection: Laws & Vehicle Residency (May 9, 2016). Seattle University School of Law, Homeless Rights Advocacy Project, 2016, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2776423 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2776423

Jessica So

Seattle University, School of Law, Students ( email )

Seattle, WA
United States

Scott MacDonald

Seattlle University, School of Law, Students ( email )

901 12th Avenue, Sullivan Hall
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
United States

Justin Olson

Seattlle University, School of Law, Students ( email )

901 12th Avenue, Sullivan Hall
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
United States

Ryan Mansell

Seattle University, School of Law, Students ( email )

Seattle, WA
United States

Sara Rankin (Contact Author)

Seattle University School of Law ( email )

901 12th Avenue, Sullivan Hall
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA n/a 98122-1090
United States

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