Safe Parking and Temporary Shelters

From Don Fornoff, Bishop’s Taskforce on Homelessness:

The homelessness situation in Western Washington is constantly shifting, meaning what we do to help our unhoused neighbors may require flexibility. That means we may need to provide something different instead of just one type of outreach to keep up with demand. The Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness would like our parishes to consider safe parking/temporary shelter, if appropriate to your parish’s plant, and the situation dictates that we get more people off the street and into a safer environment. This means parking for cars and RVs. We’d all like to get people into their own housing, but the need is great. Start with something simpler.

Our notes about safe parking come from a model developed in Tacoma, much of it through the guidance of Deacon Jeffrey Boyce. First-of-all, it is covered by state code, which allows for this type of use on church property. In Tacoma, no permit is required, with some conditions. Start by keeping your town or city informed. The intention is to use an already established site, i.e., a parking lot. Minor adjustments, such as fencing, security access, and cameras, can be made, or increased garbage and recycling services.

Additional services may be added but probably will need a permit. These include toilets, lighting, staff/security facilities, food service, shower facilities, and laundry facilities.

General guidelines for operation include:

• Safe parking hours from no earlier than 7 pm to no later than 8 am daily.
• Quiet hours from 9 pm to 7 am daily.
• Individuals can use some services, such as bathroom facilities already on-site during operational hours.
• No open fires.

Portable handwashing and toilets, coordinating food services, and other services can be brought to the site during the Safe Parking Hours, such as portable shower trailers and laundry units that do not require additional infrastructure to support.

Several parishes are already doing safe parking- St. Anne’s Washougal, St. Dunstan’s Shoreline, and All Saints Tacoma. Contact with a mentor is always welcome. Deacon Jeffrey Boyce is a good place to start.