1 in 5 Americans Have Slept in a Storage Unit

As housing becomes increasingly unaffordable and shelter options remain limited or unsafe in some areas, many Americans say they’d consider sleeping in a storage unit in the future if they became unhoused. 

You might wonder how someone manages to sleep in a storage unit undetected. In many facilities, it’s not unusual for renters to visit daily, as storage units are increasingly used as creative studios, personal gyms, and even private meeting rooms. Regular activity like this can make it hard to detect exactly how people are using storage units.

Core insights:

• 1 in 5 Americans have slept in a storage unit, some spending weeks or longer
• 36% say they did it because they were experiencing homelessness
• 84% of Americans say they would consider sleeping in a storage unit if they became unhoused
• 55% believe it should be legal to live in a storage unit if you pay to rent it

20% of Americans Say They’ve Slept in a Storage Unit

One in five Americans say they’ve slept in a storage unit at some point, even if just for one night. Men are twice as likely as women to report doing so, with 28% of men saying they’ve slept in a unit compared to 13% of women.

While 24% say they stayed for only one night, nearly half (49%) say they spent a few nights in the unit. Another 13% stayed for about a week, and 10% stayed for multiple weeks. A small number say they lived in one for several months (2%), a full year (1%), or more than a year (1%).

More than one-third (37%) also say they know someone who has slept in or lived in a storage unit. Among those, 51% say they know the person stayed for a week or less, 24% say it was multiple weeks, and 20% say it lasted several months or more. About 5% say they’re unsure how long the person stayed.

Storage units serve as shelter for the unhoused

When asked why they slept or lived in a storage unit, 36% say it was because they were experiencing homelessness. Additionally, 30% did so because they were in between places while moving, 16% needed a temporary place during a home renovation, and 15% had a fight with a spouse or roommate. An additional 3% selected “Other,” with reasons ranging from feeling exhausted to wanting to avoid traveling home in bad weather. 

The majority (79%) of those who slept in a storage unit say they personally rented it. However, about 18% say it wasn’t their unit but they knew the renter, while 4% didn’t know who the unit belonged to.

“People often turn to storage units during major life transitions that may result in a move, such as divorce, job loss, or needing to downsize,” says Reagan Phillips, home organization and storage expert at Storage Units. “As a result, the unit becomes more than just a storage space. Because so much of what matters to them is there, it can feel like the one place that’s truly theirs when everything else feels uncertain. I can see why someone, particularly if they don’t have a safe, affordable place to go, might spend hours there, or maybe even sleep there.”

8 in 10 Americans Say They’d Consider Living in a Storage Unit if They Were Facing Homelessness

If faced with homelessness today, 47% of Americans say they would definitely consider living in a storage unit to avoid sleeping on the streets or in a shelter, and another 38% say they might consider it.

The top reason is that it feels safer, according to 68% of those who say they would consider it. About 61% say a storage unit feels more secure for their belongings, and 60% say it offers more privacy than other options. Additionally, 16% say they already rent a storage unit and could use it temporarily, while 11% say they wouldn’t qualify for a shelter. A small group, 2%, chose “Other,” noting reasons such as needing to stay with a pet.

Majority of Americans Believe Living in Storage Units Should Be Legal

Legally, storage units are not considered residential spaces, and it’s against the law to live or sleep in one.

Despite these restrictions, more than half of Americans (55%) say they believe it should be legal to live in a storage unit if the person pays to rent it. Only 17% say it should remain illegal, while 29% are unsure.

Methodology: This report is based on data from a survey commissioned by Storage Units and conducted online via Pollfish on June 25, 2025. The survey included 2,000 U.S. adults. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected].