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LA's overnight safe parking program still has open spots. How you can sign up for one.
Parking lots, "which are just concrete and asphalt, can be turned into spaces that help people on their path to stability," said Matthew Tecle, Safe Parking LA's executive director.
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Courtesy Safe Parking L.A.
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Topline:
Since 2017, Safe Parking L.A. has provided unhoused Angelenos with a place to park their cars overnight. There are still dozens of spots available.
Background: On top of security and sanitation, Safe Parking L.A. ensures that people experiencing homelessness don’t get ticketed or towed. Since launching eight years ago, the service has grown from 30 spots to 174 — although several dozen of those spots remain open.
Why it matters: According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, people experiencing vehicular homelessness make up more than 44% of the county's unsheltered population — that’s more than 23,000 adults and children. Currently, there are 137 participants enrolled in Safe Parking L.A., including six families and eight children under the age of 18. The youngest participant is 4 years old.
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The backstory: Matthew Tecle, Safe Parking L.A.’s executive director, underscored that most of the participants are experiencing homelessness for the first time. “Sleeping in their cars is often the first and best option for shelter,” he added.
What happens in a heat wave? During hot weather, Safe Parking L.A. does check-ins with participants — especially vulnerable populations like seniors, children, and those with chronic health conditions — to make sure they are not dehydrated or struggling to breathe. Volunteers distribute cooling fans and water, and the program also loosens up its rules around having property outside vehicles, to allow more air flow.
How to participate: Safe Parking LA has six lots across West L.A., Metro L.A., and the San Fernando Valley. To sign up, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, along with car insurance and registration. You can find more details here. (If your registration is not up-to-date, Tecle said the program can offer a provisional permit.) The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority also has a list of safe parking lots in other areas.
Want to help? Safe Parking LA is taking donations and always welcomes volunteers.
Go deeper: Over 14,000 Vehicles In LA County Are Used As Homes
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