By Carmela Carreño, CFRE, Director of Development, Safe Parking LA
Thousands of individuals and families, often newly homeless due to economic hardship and worsening housing affordability, are now living in their cars, struggling to avoid the trauma of worsening circumstances. For those invested in solving this crisis, safe parking programs offer a forward-thinking, humane solution.
The Rising Need for Safe Parking
Los Angeles County has the nation’s highest rates of vehicular homelessness, with approximately 44% of unsheltered individuals—more than 23,000 adults and children—living in cars, vans, or RVs. Many of these people are employed, often holding multiple jobs, yet find it impossible to secure affordable housing in this costly market. Programs like those operated by Safe Parking LA offer a safe, regulated place to park at night, along with essential services, case management, and support to transition to stable housing.
A Proven Model with Positive Outcomes
Research highlights that safe parking programs not only provide temporary relief but also offer a sustainable pathway to rehousing. For example, data for programs operated by Safe Parking LA in the most recently completed fiscal year boasts a 47% success rate in helping people transition into stable housing.
Similar programs throughout California demonstrate that, when combined with case management, safe parking allows people to save money, maintain employment, and access services in a supportive environment that shelters them from the stigma and criminalization often associated with homelessness.
Why Safe Parking Programs Deserve Philanthropic Investment
Safe parking programs expand the humanitarian response to vehicular homelessness, especially where immediate shelter or housing options fall short. Safe parking is an adaptable, scalable intervention, offering a lifeline for those using their vehicles as shelter. These programs create sanctioned spaces where people can park safely overnight, avoiding punitive measures and reducing the turmoil of needing to shelter in their cars.
Safe parking also serves as a vital early intervention. Many individuals and families living in their cars are experiencing homelessness for the first time (84% of people in Safe Parking LA programs are homeless for the first time, compared to 42% among the general homeless population). Without support, they risk slipping into chronic homelessness, a condition that is both harder and costlier to address. Safe parking programs offer immediate stability, connecting people to services and pathways to permanent housing. This proactive, cost-effective approach ultimately lightens the load on already strained homeless services.
For philanthropists and family offices, investing in safe parking programs presents a strategic opportunity. Safe parking is both compassionate and fiscally responsible, helping individuals stabilize and secure housing before their challenges deepen. Supporting safe parking programs not only alleviates immediate needs but also mitigates the longer-term impacts of homelessness, making it a high-return investment for communities aiming to address homelessness holistically.
Opportunities for Impact
Investing in safe parking offers direct involvement in tackling the fastest-growing segment of homelessness. Through its network and strategic approach, Safe Parking LA has made substantial progress in addressing vehicular homelessness in Los Angeles and is prepared to scale its efforts with additional support. For those seeking a high-impact, community-focused investment, safe parking programs provide a scalable, effective approach to creating lasting change in the homelessness landscape.
About Safe Parking LA
Safe Parking LA operates the largest network of safe parking sites in the region and stands as Los Angeles’ only organization fully committed to addressing vehicular homelessness. Since its founding, Safe Parking LA has fielded more than 11,000 inquiries and helped stabilize over 2,500 vehicle dwellers by offering them a sanctioned place to park, coupled with access to resources, case management, emergency funds, and housing referrals. Not only does this program meet immediate needs, but it also aligns with broader goals of homelessness prevention, helping people and families avoid falling deeper into homelessness.
