People living in cars are often at the mercy of parking regulations, forced to relocate frequently and left without access to resources like restrooms. Safe Parking programs aim to change that.

A movement to provide safe parking areas to unhoused people living in cars is spreading across the nation, writes Ysabelle Kempe in Smart Cities Dive.
From San Diego to Duluth, cities are designating lots as ‘safe parking’ zones where people can spend the night. “The programs also offer people experiencing homelessness “an opportunity to be somewhat stable for a period of time,” since they can return to the same lot night after night and don’t need to worry about breaking the law by parking on the street, said Donald Whitehead, executive director at the National Coalition for the Homeless.”
Some programs offer resources such as restrooms, Wi-Fi, and access to social services. While experts say they are not a long-term solution to homelessness, safe parking programs can offer security and stability for at least a short period of time.
Vehicular homelessness, while common — accounting for more than 44 percent of unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles County in 2023 — is particularly insidious because of its relative invisibility. Often, people living in cars need a relatively small amount of support to get back into more stable housing situations, according to Matthew Tecle, executive director of Safe Parking LA, a safe parking program that operates six sites in Los Angeles.
FULL STORY: Safe parking programs offer support to people living in their cars

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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