A vehicle dweller, or car dweller, is a person who lives out of a car or other vehicle.
[City of Palo Alto on a collision course with homeless vehicle dwellers, Chad Brunswick, Palo Alto Free Press, 8-5-2013]
/ref> Vehicle dwellers are considered to be homeless persons in most parts of the United States. Although technically, they are not homeless, since the very definition of a home is a permanent place where one lives. Many vehicle dwellers are forced by necessity to live out of their vehicle, although some do so as a lifestyle choice, as in the case of some van dwellers.
Sometimes a car dweller is known as a car sleeper.
In popular culture
Actor Chris Farley
Christopher Crosby Farley (February 15, 1964 – December 18, 1997) was an American actor and comedian. Farley was known for his loud, energetic comedic style, and was a member of Chicago's Second City Theatre and later a cast member of the ...
's character Matt Foley would often use the quote "living in a van down by the river" in ''Saturday Night Live
''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. ...
'' sketches.
References
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Homelessness in the United States
Portable buildings and shelters
Car culture
Itinerant living
Recreational vehicles