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Parking Lot

Safe Parking

  • The Safe Parking Program was created to provide individuals and families living in their vehicles a place to park that is safe and secure.

  • It is one of the strategies to help end homelessness in Pierce County as described in the plan created by the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness that was approved by the Pierce County Council.

This is a powerful way to get involved with a proven strategy to help those experiencing homelessness
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Where is Safe Parking Located?

Typically, Safe Parking is located in church parking lots, although the recent Pierce County Safe Parking ordinance is allowing 4 civic sites to participate.
Currently, we have 4 sites in operation; 1 in Gig Harbor, 2 in SE Tacoma and 1 in Spanaway. Most are located in unincorporated Pierce County areas. Combined, this gives us 28 Safe Parking “stalls”.

How Does Safe Parking Work?

Provided from New Hope

  • Referral line for clients to call to start the process

  • Screening of all potential clients, including background check.

  • Porta-potties (with regular weekly maintenance) hand-washing stations and garbage pick up.

  • Light case management and resources

  • Client guidelines/behavior expectations

  • Rent of allotted spaces at a monthly rate

  • Entry of clients into HMIS and CE

  • Referrals to other services

  • Memorandum of Understanding

  • Assistance with meeting the requirements of PC Safe Parking Ordinance (community meeting/notification)

How Does Safe Parking Work?

Provided by Hosting Sites

What Hosting Sites provide (basics):

  • 3-15 parking stalls available for overnight use by clients

  • Space for porta-potty and hand-washing station

  • Site Coordinator(s)- greet new clients and provide a
    contact person for program

  • Site specific information such as open hours, location of stores, gas stations close-by and any do’s and don’ts specific to the site and surrounding area

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Additional things that can be provided by Hosting sites:*

  • *Gas cards *cook tent with microwave, picnic bench and mini-fridge * food *clothing * dog/cat food *water *bus tickets *vehicle maintenance * friendship *compassion

Safe Parking Is:

  • Easily set up

  • Co-managed between the Management Organization and the Hosting Site

  • Flexible to meet the needs of the clients AND the Hosting Site

  • Helps mitigate the growing numbers of homeless parking on the street and in unauthorized areas

  • Is effective in moving people forward

  • Gives churches and other entities a chance to build relationships and help people in need

  • Is changing people’s lives!

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

  • Get your church or business involved in Safe Parking by becoming a Hosting Site for safe parkers. WE NEED MORE SAFE PARKING LOCATIONS AS OUR CURRENT SITES ARE OFTEN FULL.

  • Purchase gas cards and donate them to the Safe Parking program.

  • Provide vehicle maintenance and repair for those who need it, especially our elderly and disabled clients

  • If your church cannot provide space, offer volunteers and/or donations to help the churches that are currently providing safe parking.

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