Living in a Van; Overcoming Challenges and Staying Safe

Interviewer: Gavin Fong

Interviewee: Mr. O

Gavin: Where did you get your source of food and water?

Mr. O. I go to Walmart.

Gavin: Have you ever had any safety concerns when you are sleeping in your van?

Mr. O: Of course, yeah.

Gavin: How do you deal with those?

Mr. O: I move around if it gets a little noisy or I won’t sleep anywhere in one place too long.

Gavin: What is the most difficult part of living in your van?

Mr. O: The cold in the winter, the heat in the summer. You know cooking, stuff like cooking, showering.

Gavin: Where do you get your source of energy for cooking?

Mr. O: I have a little portable stove, a propane camping stove.

Gavin: How do you handle laundry?

Mr. O: Wash by hand maybe twice a week, go to the laundry for the pants and sweatshirts and stuff.

Gavin: Did you use public resources to maintain your hygiene?

Mr. O: I use the bathroom. I go to the park when it’s open.

Gavin: Did you ever feel isolated or lonely living in your van? If so, how do you cope with this?

Mr. O: All the time, I just have reading material, YouTube. Things like that. I’ll exercise, I try to stay busy. Things that kill time. 

Gavin: Did you have a particular source of motivation during rough times?

Mr. O: No.

Gavin: Do you have any advice for people who are facing a similar situation that you have experienced?

Mr. O: O: The best advice is to stay safe. Yeah, you have to recognize what's not safe. Sometimes, you just have to take what you can get. Like when I decide to park somewhere, I might notice other people around. It’s obvious— they might be loud, using drugs, stealing, or causing trouble. Doesn’t matter who they are, you can tell the bad ones by the way they talk. And they leave trash in the street and stuff.

Gavin: Alright, that is all the questions I have for you, thank you for your time.

Mr. O: Alright man, have a good one.

Gavin: You too.

Mr. O: Thank you so much. Have a good one.