South Bay Leader

Long Beach, CA – Following the success of the Safe Parking Program just south of Downtown, the City of Long Beach will continue emergency operations of its Safe Parking Program with a temporary site in the area through 2023 while the City also seeks a location for a permanent site. The City's Safe Parking Program provides a safe, dignified environment for people currently sheltering in their vehicles to park overnight while receiving access to basic needs and being connected to services.

To accommodate the extension of the program in the area just south of Downtown, the City relocated the original temporary Safe Parking site to the SouthShore Launch Ramp parking lot, a nearby vacant lot just north on Queensway. The South Shore Lot has capacity for 26 vehicles, which is in line with current demand and could expand if needed. The City intends to operate a Safe Parking Program in this general area throughout 2023, either at SouthShore Launch Ramp or in the previous location off of Queensway depending on capacity needs, scheduled activities and accommodation of the many uses that operate in that area.

In addition to offering access to various amenities and resources, including a pet relief area, restrooms and hand washing stations, the relocated site provides two security guards and a Homeless Services Bureau staff member on site to connect clients with services and offer housing-focused case management.

When the City first opened the original temporary site on March 20, 2023, it was pre-determined it would only operate in that location for a period of approximately two months, due to pre-existing summer events taking place in the vicinity. With the South Shore Lot in operation, this more than doubles the originally anticipated time the Safe Parking Program was going to be operating in the area, providing more relief to people sheltering in their vehicles in Long Beach.

People interested in participating in the Safe Parking Program must first receive a referral from the Multi-Service Center (MSC), located at 1301 W. 12th St., or through outreach, including the Mobile Access Center.

For more information on the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.

Media inquiries may be directed to the City of Long Beach Joint Information Center at 562.570.NEWS or JIC@longbeach.gov.

Original source can be found here.