Oversized Vehicles: Addressing Health and Safety, Enhancing Resources

Published on November 20, 2025

County data shows Palo Alto continues to have a higher proportion of its unsheltered people living in vehicles than the County as a whole, with 73% in vehicles within our community, while 37% were in vehicles countywide. The growing number of people living in vehicles on streets is posing additional neighborhood challenges and health and safety concerns. To address these concerns, the City Council adopted a phased plan late last month in an effort to address the impacts of oversized vehicles (OSV) and enhance resources available. Immediate steps are underway, with other actions actively being explored, seeking a comprehensive approach in balancing health and safety concerns with enhancing services and resources for our unhoused community.

The Bay Area is an expensive place to live, and Palo Alto is not immune from this reality. In recognition of this challenge and in support of the Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting housing including affordable housing within our community, the City has pursued a variety of initiatives to better support housing stability including: strengthening renter protections, expanded safe parking programs, permitting and beginning construction of the interim Homekey shelter, and supporting affordable housing developments such as Wilton Court Apartments, 231 Grant Ave, Mitchell Park Place, and development on City-owned properties such as Lot T downtown and 340 Portage Ave.

A new community update shares more about the City’s plan addressing Oversized Vehicles health and safety issues and enhancing resources for our unhoused community.

Read here