Can You Live in a Storage Unit? | Here’s the Answer - 4 minutes read


There are some homeless persons who are simple to identify, but many others—perhaps the majority—are not. With friends and family, or in shelters, they're surviving.

The concept of living in a storage facility may appeal to some people who are struggling to find a place to live. However, monthly rent is inexpensive, and it offers both privacy and security. After a video about 007craft's lifestyle went viral, he even made it appear cool to live in a storage container.

However, you know what's not okay? He did not search for “Can you live in a storage unit” as you did. What happened to him was eviction from a 24-hour access storage facility, which is what will happen if you attempt to live there in order to avoid the exorbitant costs of real estate.

So the answer to your question “can you live in a storage unit is a clear No! Now we will discuss with you the reasons.


Why You Can’t Live in a Storage Unit


Living in a storage facility is a bad idea for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it's illegal.

  • No running water. Running water is essential for maintaining clean living conditions in storage containers.
  • No natural light. There are no windows in storage containers, and many don't have any illumination at all. Most self-storage facilities don't have power either. Having an extension cable that goes from your storage unit to the hallway is a sure sign that something is wrong with your unit.
  • It is a fire hazard. Using extension cables to power or heat a storage unit might result in a fire. Storage unit tenants have ignited fires by heating food via toaster oven or by attempting to keep warm in the cold. Even in a climate-controlled storage container, the temperature cannot be maintained at a level that is acceptable to humans.
  • Proper ventilation is non-existent. Four walls and a door are all you get in a typical storage container. Breathing becomes difficult in the absence of adequate ventilation. If you throw in a kerosene heater, you've got yourself a formula for disaster.
  • You will be caught. Living in the unit for some time may get you by, but eventually, you'll be found. Security cameras are usually installed around the facility, and storage facility workers are trained to detect stowaways.


How does it feel to be living in a Storage Unit?


To live in a storage facility is illegal and unsafe, although the practice does take place for many reasons. Although it's rare, it's not unheard of, according to a SpareFoot poll on NGOs that serve the homeless.

If you're spotted living in a storage unit, you'll probably be evicted right away. This implies that you and your belongings will be evicted. Additionally, if you have children, you may face criminal penalties since storage facilities are not considered safe for human habitation.

Homelessness "is like being a turtle," says the National Coalition for the Homeless's Michael Stoops, the director of community organizing. In other words, "You're bearing the weight of your whole life."

Stoops added that many homeless persons hire storage facilities for the same reasons as the Youngs: to keep their most prized possessions secure and to maintain as much of their old life as possible.

Another obstacle awaits them. There's nothing private about being a homeless person in a public location, said Stoops. They feel more normal when they can store their possessions in a safe area.


How many people use storage units to live in the US?


According to media accounts and statistics from shelters and other groups that serve the homeless, it is difficult to estimate the number of persons living in storage containers in the United States. Around 610,000 individuals in the United States are homeless at the moment.