Safe Parking
CEO - Homeless Initiative
1.1 Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness
Federal Expenditure CategoryHousing Support: Other Housing Assistance
10/18/2022
Anticipated End Date12/31/2025
Project Contacts
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Pinki Mehta
Indicators & Metrics to Date
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Number of clients exiting to interim or permanent housing0
Target Populations
- People Experiencing Homelessness
- People Experiencing Vehicular Homelessness
Project Description
Throughout Los Angeles County, the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been more significant for disadvantaged populations such as people experiencing homelessness (PEH) or individuals at risk of becoming homeless. COVID-19 has heightened a housing crisis already exacerbated by compounding factors such as rising housing costs, inflation and wage stagnation that increase the risk of eviction or foreclosure, leading to homelessness or making it more difficult to secure stable housing to exit homelessness. Health conditions and inadequate access to health care make PEH especially vulnerable to COVID-19. This vulnerability has further been heightened by the widespread curtailing of essential services for PEH during the pandemic. As a result of the negative economic impacts of COVID-19, many vulnerable individuals and families have resorted to living in their vehicles due to a lack of income, affordable housing, or both. These vehicle dwellers are often unaware of safe places to rest at night. They often lack access to the homeless services delivery system or connection to supportive services that could help lift them and their families out of homelessness. For people who experience homelessness and own vehicles, some individuals feel more comfortable or safer in their vehicles instead of living in a congregate shelter setting. Further, there is insufficient capacity to house all PEH. Safe Parking program is one of LA County's strategies to provide a safe environment where PEH can be engaged to begin their pathway to more stable housing. The Safe Parking project (Project) will include new 24-hour Safe Parking sites and an expansion of hours (adding operation of day programming to the existing evening program) at existing Safe Parking locations within high-need communities in Los Angeles County. Currently, most Safe Parking sites operate 12 hours per night. This project will leverage and support 24-hour, seven-days-a week operation offering participants increased access to enhanced on-site services, which include 24-hour security, three meals per day, daily sanitation and hygiene amenities, and onsite housing-focused case management services and linkages to community resources such as employment programs, mental health, and healthcare services.