The San Diego City Council has unanimously approved a plan proposed by Mayor Todd Gloria to open a new safe parking lot in the Clairemont neighborhood that will include live-in-ready camper trailers as well as free, safe parking for people who sleep overnight in their vehicles. The lot is scheduled to open in April. For more information, please review this FAQ.
Every night, JFS operates a Safe Parking Program for unsheltered San Diegans living out of their vehicles, many of whom are experiencing homelessness for the first time. As these individuals and families work to lift themselves up out of a difficult situation, many are making a nightly choice between buying food or purchasing gas to get to work and school. Creating further barriers to stability are the isolation and lack of social support that so many experiencing homelessness often face. In addition, we know that many more people are in this situation as a result of the pandemic, which has exacerbated income inequality, and due to increasing housing costs across Southern California.
The Safe Parking Program provides a welcoming environment, meaningful resources and tools, and dignified support to help families stabilize and transition back into permanent housing. With holistic services focused on basic needs assistance, employment, family wellness, school success, financial education, credit repair, and housing, our goal is to create a pathway out of homelessness while being a support to people where they are now.
The program operates seven nights per week at four secured lots at Balboa Avenue, Aero Drive, Mission Village Drive (open 24 hours), and Encinitas. Enrollment is required for all locations. To enroll, call (858) 637-3373 or start the process online.
Living in an RV or an Over-Sized Vehicle?
Our Safe Parking site in Mission Valley provides a safe and secure environment for RVs and other large vehicles where you can sleep without the risk of being ticketed.
Call (858) 637-3373 to enroll
San Diego County CoC HMISNotice of Privacy Practices
Regional Task Force on the Homeless HMISPrivacy & Security Policies
To view daily utilization rates of our Safe Parking Lot in Encinitas, click here.
To view answers to frequently asked questions about our Safe Parking Lot in Encinitas, click here.
January 2022
In 2019, researchers from UC San Diego’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning began a three-year evaluation of our Safe Parking Program to answer our biggest question: Is the SPP model effective in stopping the downward spiral of homelessness? The report on the first two years of research explains more about our Safe Parking Program model and what we can do to help even more of our unsheltered neighbors get back into stable housing.
Our Case Management team is committed to addressing the comprehensive needs of individuals and families facing homelessness. Our supportive services include food assistance, employment development, emergency support, benefits access, and asset building.
If you are interested in volunteering, we invite you, along with your community group, friends, or colleagues to host and serve dinner for the Safe Parking Program Participants.
