importance of managing the site as a non-RV location to distinguish it from general camping uses and expressed a preference for using existing restroom facilities. The Land Trust agreed to review the program periodically to ensure it aligns with conservation values.
Staff contacted the Land Trust regarding the potential expansion of the Safe Parking Program and received written confirmation that increasing the Program to 12 parking spaces is allowable under the existing approval letter, dated January 25, 2023. Should the Council choose to make this adjustment, the Land Trust has indicated they would approve the change within the current parameters. Additionally, the Land Trust noted that if the City were to pursue making the Safe Parking Program permanent, they would require the submission of a new proposal for review, which they indicated would likely be approved.
Staff recommends continuing the Safe Parking Program through its initial pilot term and providing a final update on the Program to the City Council before the end of the two-year pilot period. The final report will assess program outcomes, neighborhood impacts, and the feasibility of transitioning the program into a permanent offering, and will be presented to Council in May or June of this year. Additionally, staff recommends the City Council provide direction on whether to expand the existing program to include an additional six parking spaces for a potential total of 12 available spaces. Should the Council direct staff to expand the program, staff will return to the City Council with an amendment to the agreement with New Beginnings authorizing the addition of these new parking spaces.
POLICY CONSISTENCY
and supports the Community Action Plan to Address Homelessness in Santa Barbara County. The program contributes to the following strategic objectives:
1. Increasing access to safe, affordable housing.
2. Delivering tailored supportive services.
3. Strengthening support systems for housing stability.
4. Building provider capacity to address specific population needs.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
cost of approximately $47,000 for one lot. Current expenditures remain within the allocated budget. Should the Council elect to expand the program, there could be an additional cost due to the need for New Beginnings to expand their insurance requirements to cover the additional six parking spaces and this cost would pass through to the City.
Safe Parking Program Update
January 13, 2025
LEGAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
12.24 of the Carpinteria Municipal Code, which govern sleeping and camping regulations. manage
unsanctioned camping activities in public areas while mitigating associated legal risks.
PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING
Cassie Roach, New Beginnings Program Director- Safe Parking Program
ATTACHMENTS
A. Presentation
Staff contact: Ryan Kintz, Assistant City Manager
(805) 755-4400; [email protected]
Signature
Reviewed by: Michael Ramirez, City Manager
(805) 755-4450, [email protected] Signature
ATTACHMENT A
Presentation
Community safety net organization with four core programs: Safe Parking Shelter and Rapid Rehousing Program® Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Life Skills Parenting and Education Program Community Mental Health Center NEW BEGINNINGS WHAT IS SAFE PARKING? Shelter for families & individuals who live in their vehicles Rapid rehousing program A Housing First program Not an encampment, not an alternative lifestyle Safe place to park/sleep while in transition to housing PROGRAM HISTORY Safe Parking began in 2003 Repurposes existing community resources parking lots Started by local homeless advocates, city council and members of the county board of supervisors WHY SAFE PARKING? According to the 2024 Point in Time Count: over 53% of unsheltered homeless in county are living in their vehicles 34% of the total homeless population are living in their vehicles Carpinteria saw an 8% increase in the homeless population from the 2024 to 2025 Point in Time Count PROGRAM STRUCTURE 31 lots, 200 spaces countywide sheltering 150+ each night Distribute impact in scattered sites/lots, 1-15 spaces in each Each city has different ordinances that allow for the program For-profit, non-profit, city, county, faith-based lots Each lot owner insured by New Beginnings PROGRAM STRUCTURE Enter after 7pm, leave by 7am no curfew Each lot has different population Assign people to lots based on lot & vehicle type, needs First come, first serve waiting list PROGRAM STRUCTURE Parking only, no gathering in lots Porta-potties and self-contained vehicles No trash dumping, pet waste, loud music, cooking outside No direct communication with lot owner PROGRAM STRUCTURE Lots monitored by part-time monitors/outreach workers Lots monitored throughout night & in morning Monitors provide support in multiple ways Monitoring report sent to city each month Renew permit, review housing plan once per month PROGRAM STRUCTURE 24/7 Emergency number Work with law enforcement & city/county staff Staffed with three levels of program management, three Case Managers, two Housing Navigators, three Housing Retention Specialists, and four Lot Monitor/Outreach Workers Daytime version of program for oversized vehicles in City of SB Rapid rehousing component HOUSING ASSISTANCE SERVICES Goal of Safe Parking is to transition program participants into permanent housing Services: Landlord engagement, case management, temporary financial assistance, and benefit acquisition PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS 25% between Ages 55 and 64 28% over age 64 3% under age 18 3% Families 95% below 30% AMI 30% chronically homeless updated as of 12/27/2024 PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS 41% of clients are employed upon enrollment 51% of clients meet definition of disability 53% white; 16% Latino; 7% Black; 24% other race(s) and ethnicity PROGRAM SERVICES Overnight shelter Street outreach Rapid rehousing & housing retention services Employment & benefit connection SOAR trained staff CES RRH Referrals for all unsheltered population Vehicle encampment resolution PROGRAM SERVICES Basic case management/assistance to clients & wait list: Housing rental assistance Vehicle maintenance and repair Food and gas cards, medical & dental assistance Crisis intervention, mental health services Food boxes, clothing, discounted gym memberships PROGRAM OUTPUTS Serve over 625 unduplicated people each year through: Shelter RRH Street Outreach Coordinated Entry PROGRAM OUTCOMES House @ 60 people annually (more than 100 last two FY) Connect @ 50 to employment Connect @ 45 to benefits Operated without incident for 20+ years Limited primarily by housing availability, rental prices and zero-income clients CARPINTERIA OUTCOMES 2023 From July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, the Safe Parking Program achieved the following outcomes: Number of Participants: 11 Number of Vehicles Registered: 10 Clients Transitioned to Permanent Housing: 5 Average Length of Stay in Program: Approximately 5 months CARPINTERIA OUTCOMES 2024 From January 1, 2024 to September 30 2024, the Safe Parking Program achieved the following outcomes: Number of Participants: 20 Number of Vehicles Registered: 14 Clients Transitioned to Permanent Housing: 6 Average Length of Stay in Program: Approximately 4.5 months
SAFE PARKING MANUAL
SAFE PARKING MEDIA
LESSONS LEARNED How are vehicular homeless different? Higher functioning than those on the street Different needs than those on the street Represent middle class falling into homelessness More likely to remain housed COUNTYWIDE EXPANSION Received initial funding from County of Santa Barbara in 2020 during COVID Focus was to expand the program in South County and develop a program in North County 39 individuals experiencing vehicular homelessness in Carpinteria (2020 Point- in-Time Count) 21 individuals were counted in 2019 Point-in-Time Count To support the expansion efforts, in the last year, we added an additional South County case manager Working towards opening a second lot in Lompoc CARPINTERIA EXPANSION Proposed 6-space expansion to allow for a total of 12 spaces Currently operating one location with 6 spaces all spaces fully utilized Since contract commencement: Total enrolled: 32 individuals with 20 vehicles having used the lot Total housed through December 2024: 9 individuals Individuals made aware of the program: 164 32 served amounts to serving individuals well under the cost of $2,000 annually per person HOUSING PARTNERS Partners in Housing Solutions, Good Samaritan, Micah Mission, County of SB Be Well, United Way, Communify, Food Bank, City Net, PATH Dozens of landlords, property managers, faith-based organizations, and businesses Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Catholic Charities, Domestic Violence Solutions, Family Service Agency THANK YOU!! Cassie Roach, Safe Parking Program Director [email protected] 805-963-7777 ext. 108