Residents in a rundown area of the Bronx are increasingly frustrated with a section of Webster Avenue, where the homeless have taken up residence in dilapidated RVs, trailers, and trucks. This troubling situation has persisted for several years, and it has been particularly challenging for those living nearby.
The area, often referred to as the “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” has become a significant concern for locals over the past two years. Meanwhile, those seeking shelter in these vehicles claim that exorbitant rents in New York City have left them with few options.
“It’s starting to become an eyesore,” complained neighborhood resident Rae Henry. “There are just too many.”
Henry expressed that while the occasional RV is tolerable, the growing number is overwhelming the neighborhood. “I’m used to seeing tractor-trailers parked on the street,” she remarked, “but this is different.”
According to residents, the influx of recreational vehicles and trucks began during the COVID pandemic and has remained ever since, even as authorities have towed away abandoned cars in the vicinity.
The issue was reported by CBS-TV News back in 2024, yet nearly two years later, little has changed. “It looks whack,” said Alex Ramos, a resident of Williamsbridge. “I see them every day. It’s odd. The cops cleaned up the abandoned cars, so I can only assume the RVs are left because they have people living in them.”
Those living in the vehicles shared their plight with The Post, revealing that the high cost of city life forced them into this situation. For many, the choice is between living on the streets, adverse city shelters, or the RVs they now call home.
“We need housing,” stated Rita Freeman, who has been residing in her RV since November. “This is absurd. There are so many of us.” She further shared her struggles, mentioning how she got a hotel room and maxed out her credit card to avoid shelters, citing safety concerns. “It’s very dangerous out there,” she explained.
Camille shared her own experience, noting that shelters do not allow pets, so she made the decision to move to the corridor with her dogs six months ago. “We can’t afford the apartments they have, and they expect you to go into a shelter,” she said. “But they don’t allow pets. I have three dogs.”
Camille mentioned that she supports herself by dog walking and pet sitting while waiting for an apartment after her previous residence in Westchester County became financially unmanageable due to an $1,800 monthly rent. “Where do you want us to go?” she questioned.
Other encampments across the city have caught attention as well, including a cluster of vehicles near Citi Field in Queens, where homeless individuals were utilizing city resources illegally for power and water and running unauthorized car repair services.
A separate group of RVs was noted along Bronx Boulevard earlier this year, some equipped with solar panels and disposing of waste improperly, despite local complaints. Additionally, tent encampments near the Intrepid Museum on Manhattan’s West Side have caused ongoing issues for residents, although the city eventually relocated those makeshift shelters.
