MHCH Forum on Safe Parking

Safe Parking: A Path Out of Homelessness Speakers • Kristine Schwarz, Executive Director of the New Beginnings Counseling Center, Santa Barbara • Rev. Sharon Richter, Trinity Lutheran Church • Mel Tellekaratne, Showers of Hope • Suzanne Lee, participant in Trinity Lutheran Church’s safe parking program • Martin Potter, Principal Planner, City of Pasadena Santa Barbara’s safe parking program—operated by New Beginnings Counseling Center—is one of the oldest and most successful safe parking programs in the nation, widely recognized for its scale and strong housing navigation services, with 1,000 + participants over the years. Mel Tellekaratne will also share about the safe parking program of Showers of Hope. Safe parking is a proven intervention that improves safety, health, and housing outcomes for people living in their vehicles. MHCH helped secure City Council approval to make safe parking permitted use for many Pasadena congregations, including Trinity Lutheran Church, where up to ten people living in vehicles receive nightly safety and supportive services with a path toward permanent housing. Suzanne Lee, one of 25+ people housed through this program, will testify about her experience in safe parking and how it helped her to become permanently housed. Additionally, Martin Potter, Principal Planner of the City of Pasadena, will explain city policy regarding safe parking and a list of potential sites.