Los Angeles, CA – Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez announced the opening of a Safe Parking site in North Hills. This is the first safe parking location in the City of Los Angeles to provide spaces for Recreational Vehicles (RVs).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2018
Press Contact: Tran Le, tran.le@lacity.org, 213-257-0475
LOS ANGELES LAUNCHES THE FIRST SAFE PARKING SITE THAT ALLOWS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES (RVs)
(Photos taken by LAHSA)
Los Angeles, CA – Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez announced the opening of a Safe Parking site in North Hills. This is the first safe parking location in the City of Los Angeles to provide spaces for Recreational Vehicles (RVs).
“I am proud of our efforts to address one of the growing challenges of vehicular homelessness in our City, particularly with RVs,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. “The Safe Parking program serves a vulnerable population while also addressing the concerns in our neighborhoods.”
The Safe Parking program is designed to provide a stable and safe parking environment for individuals and families living in their vehicles. The program’s goal is to ensure that participants are connected to housing resources and supportive services. There are currently five safe parking sites across the City of Los Angeles, with four more underway.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to helping folks come indoors — and this space reflects our city’s flexible, creative, and bold approach to meeting and helping our homeless neighbors where they are,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Safe Parking gives Angelenos in need more than a place to park at night — it connects them with resources that can put them on a path to homes of their own.”
North Valley Caring Services (NVCS) operates the North Hills safe parking site and also offers to clean showers, warm meals, and a team dedicated to helping participants access the Coordinated Entry System (CES) for service referrals and housing navigation. The site has been in operation since October 2018 and can accommodate twenty cars and five RVs. Since its opening, nine individuals have been placed in housing. NVCS works with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and other service providers to takes referrals into their program; participants are taken in by referral only. All participants will be screened prior to being admitted into the program and must agree to a code of conduct.
“We’re very fortunate to count on the support of our Councilwoman, Monica Rodriguez, and also law enforcement,” said Manny Flores, Community Liaison, North Valley Caring Services. “The community has really galvanized itself behind this program to support it, because they understand that they’re in our community anyway, so we might as well keep them safe.”
“The safe parking program helps to stabilize the lives of its participants,” said Peter Lynn, Executive Director, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. “It provides a base for them to focus on creating a housing plan, securing benefits, and obtaining employment.”
“The success of this program is due to the outreach and collaboration between City partners, service providers and our community,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. “I look forward to sharing more of this program’s continued achievements and identifying opportunities to scale it throughout the City.”
For a summary of this program, view this video (https://youtu.be/TMF08bti5wM) produced by LAHSA.