VHO SETTLEMENT!
UPDATE – October 10, 2024
ON OCTOBER 10, 2024, JUDGE ANTHONY BATTAGLIA APPROVED
THE SETTLEMENT REACHED BY THE PARTIES IN THIS CASE.
THE KEY TERMS OF THE APPROVED SETTLEMENT ARE:
- Class members will not be subjected to citation and arrest under the VHO for merely sheltering in their vehicles or using their vehicles for transportation.
- Ticket forgiveness for all citations issued from November 2017 to October 10, 2024 (at minimum OVO tickets & tickets regarding vehicle habitation & all tickets if feasible) will relieve class members of thousands of dollars in unpaid tickets, allowing them to avoid towing and to register their vehicles
- The City will expand its Safe Parking Program. Each Safe Parking Lot will have safe and accessible bathrooms, security, and/or personnel on-site.
- The City will not enforce the night-time provisions of the VHO or OVO by arrest, citation, or ticket when legal parking under the Safe Parking Lot program is not available.
- Substantial improvements will be made at the Mission Valley Safe Parking Lot for RVs and campers, including installing electric hookups, running water, and shade, thereby substantially improving the health and safety of residents.
The Settlement Agreement resolves the BLOOM v. City of SAN DIEGO class-action lawsuit that was filed on behalf of unhoused people whose only shelter is their vehicles. The case challenged the city of San Diego’s enforcement of its Vehicle Habitation Ordinance (VHO) prohibiting people from living in their vehicles, and Oversized Vehicle Ordinance (OVO) prohibiting people from parking their RV, camper or trailer between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m.
As part of this Agreement, the City has agreed not to enforce the OVO or the nighttime provisions of the VHO when legal parking options are full, closed, or are not reasonably available. The City will also expand available locations, with some facilities, for "Safe Parking.” Health and safety improvements will be made at the Mission Valley “Safe Lot” for oversized vehicles including adding running water, shade, and electric hookups.
In addition, people who live in their vehicles will not be arrested or cited under the VHO merely for living in their vehicle. Police must have reasonable suspicion of a crime other than the VHO before enforcing the VHO. A parking violation also will not trigger enforcement of the VHO unless a class member is first given an opportunity to cure the parking violation and refuses to do so. People who live in their vehicles can also use their vehicles for transportation, such as to grocery shop, visit family or friends, go to work, or make a visit to a doctor’s office without being at risk for VHO enforcement.
All unpaid parking tickets for “violation of signs” prohibiting Vehicle Habitation or for OVO violations issued to class members between November 2017 and the date the settlement agreement receives final court approval will be forgiven upon request.
IF YOU USED YOUR RV OR OTHER VEHICLE AS YOUR ONLY FORM OF SHELTER IN SAN DIEGO YOU MAY BE A MEMBER OF THE "CLASS" AND ENTITLED TO TICKET FORGIVENESS.
Questions? Email or call!
EMAIL: INFO@VHOSETTLEMENT.COM
PHONE: 619-320-5763
Submit Your Ticket Forgiveness Information Here
View/Download the full "Notice of Settlement" to the Class
Ver/descargar el "Aviso de conciliación" completo para el grupo
View/Download the Court's Order Granting Preliminary Approval of the Settlement
View/Download the Signed Settlement Agreement
View/Download the Order Approving Settlement
View/Download the Final Judgement and Dismissal