SAN FRANCISCO — For Zuleima Bolio and her husband, their RV parked on Bernal Heights Boulevard has been their temporary home for the past five months, but that could soon change.
They decided to move into the RV after facing high rental costs and the challenge of housing their puppies.
“We have a few puppies and the apartment we rented wanted a lot of money for them. So we saw that it would be a little better to move here instead of paying almost $3,000 for the two of us and the three puppies,” Bolio explains.
Despite her efforts to make ends meet by working locally, it was difficult to provide proof of sufficient income for a new apartment. Given the city's plans to address street safety and public health in the area, Bolio and her husband are now forced to consider a move.
“Well, now it’s our turn to think about where to move. We have the idea of possibly moving to South San Francisco, but we still don’t know,” Bolio said.
Residents like Mark, a longtime Bernal Heights resident, are calling for the city to take action because of the increasing number of RVs in the area.
“They are very nice people, but they have been here for four years. There is nowhere for them to shower. They throw away their garbage. “You shouldn’t treat them like that,” Mark said.
Since 2020, the city has received complaints about the increasing presence of RVs, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. In recent months, conditions in the area have continued to deteriorate, prompting calls for enforcement action.
The city's response includes reinstalling signs designating the area as a no-parking zone. Active enforcement actions are scheduled to begin on March 28. The mayor's office has also raised concerns about illegal dumping of waste, including wastewater, underscoring the urgency to address public health risks.
“People go out here all the time to pee, and further down the hill they go along the public garden,” Mark explained.
The attempt to enforce regulations has caused a divide within the community, with some expressing support for the measure while others expressing concerns about compassion for those affected.
“Many people are for it and others are against it. This is because they say some are good people and others are evil, but the truth is that with these new characters it seems perfect to me. Although many cars have not yet moved, “said Nelly Caceres, a long-time employee in the area.
Despite the uncertainties ahead, Bolio remains confident and emphasizes the need for mutual understanding and cooperation.
“If we bother them at any point, they can just tell us and we will see what to do because at the end of the day we are all human beings and we are in this together,” Bolio concluded.
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