By: Hanna Nakano
A volunteer-based pilot program is giving families without homes a safe place to sleep at night in their vehicles in Davis.
Through a new volunteer program, HEART of Davis has created the Safe Heart Safe Parking program, which provides a safe and legal space for individuals and families living in their vehicles to park overnight. The program is open to cars and trucks only, no campers or RVs.
The organization offers secure parking spaces where individuals can sleep safely in their vehicles, reducing the risks of harassment, theft or being ticketed/towed. Parking spaces are monitored overnight, and guests are checked in and out by trained volunteers who connect them with professional case management services to find housing, healthcare, mental health treatment, and other resources.
This program comes at a critical time, as the City of Davis enacted a no-camping ordinance earlier this year, limiting public spaces where people can safely rest. Safe Heart Safe Parking offers an alternativeāand a bridge to longer-term housing solutions.
The program started in July and runs through September, after which it will be evaluated for successfulness.
The Safe Heart Safe Parking program is confidential and there is no public signage, to keep a low profile for guests.
āThe parking lot will be in Davis, but the location will not be made public as only those with parking passes will be allowed in the parking lot. We have a permit from the city to operate on a provisional basis and unregistered parkers will be in violation of our permit which could lead to cancellation of the safe parking program,ā according to HEART of Davis.
HEART of Davis (formerly the Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter) has provided support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Davis for more than a decade.
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer to help the program, contact the team at heartofdavis@gmail.com. Folks interested in using the program may also use that email to register.
