Safe Parking Host Sites
Open Call for Volunteers
The City is working with Compassion Network to locate volunteers to conduct Check-in / Check out Procedures.
The exact shift schedule changes based on the host site: either morning, evening, or both. Each volunteer slot accepts up to two volunteers. 7 days a week.
Volunteer should be willing to travel within the boundaries of Fremont.
Training will be provided.
Priority will be given to those willing to commit to a recurring interval.
While the check-in role is itself important, the goal is also to provide community-building and socialization with the participants.
Learn more on the Fremont website’s Safe Parking page.
Interested parties shoud email Jerry Lovejoy at the email address below:
How to Register
FILL OUT THE ADULT ATTACHED VOLUNTEER APPLICATION: Please fill out the TOP SECTION ONLY of the attached Adult Volunteer Application for the City of Fremont. Be sure to include your FULL LEGAL NAME and your DATE OF BIRTH. Then, send it back to: specialprojects@cityserve.org. The City will conduct a quick background check on each prospective volunteer.
(Note: Please DOWNLOAD the application as it is in a PDF fillable format)
READ THROUGH THE ATTACHED SYNOPSIS OF THE PROGRAM
WATCH THE 3 VIDEOS BELOW: These will help you to know what is expected of all volunteers at each shift.
Link to the Safe Parking Orientation Video
Link to the Empathy Video
Link to the Body Language Video
Time is of the essence, so once we receive the Volunteer Application and verification that you watched the videos and read through the synopsis, Special Projects can send the volunteer application form to the City for the background check.
Once you are cleared, they will provide you with specific instructions for the site – safe parking map, site coordinator contact info phone and email, and any special instructions that you should provide to participants.
Additionally, once you are cleared you will also receive the volunteer calendar link so you can sign up for specific dates. Additional Program details:
There are currently four (5) host sites, at which the program will rotate on a monthly basis. Each host site will host for one full month, seven days a week, from evening until morning the following day.
Each host site will have a site coordinator.
Vehicles will check in in the evening and check out in the morning the following day.
At this point, this program is for singles and couples only. Participants are pre-screened for admission, and there are no drive-ins.
For the privacy of the participants and host site, the location of the sites will be disclosed only to participants and volunteers prior to their time of service.
History of Safe Parking Advocacy Efforts
Safe Parking Began on 1/31/2022
Fremont for Everyone advocated for the successful approval of a City program that would allow underhoused individuals living in vehicles to safely park overnight in a religious organization’s private parking lot. The host organization maintains a volunteer presence and many provide hospitality services in conjunction with Safe Parking.
The program launched on Monday, 1/31/2022, and has been running consistently since then. Fremont for Everyone, in conjunction with the Fremont Human Services Division and Compassion Network, is promoting an amazing volunteer opportunity!
Safe Parking Strategy Discussion - April 12, 2021
Overview & Intro presentation, including historical summary of progress to date.
City Staff Representatives: Suzanne Shenfil (Human Services), Laurie Flores (Human Services), Courtney Pal (Planning), David Wage (Planning).
Progress is being made towards allowing Faith-based Organizations to host Car and RV Dwellers.
The Ordinance is currently being drafted with cooperation and input from the faith community. If adopted, a faith-based organization would be able to pull a ministerial permit (e.g. by-right and with no discretionary hearings), to host RV and Car Dwellers in their parking lots.
The Ordinance sets up a basic criteria meant to insure neighborhood compatibility, such as setbacks, vehicle separations, life safety standards, sanitation requirements, etc.
The City has taken big steps to addressing a few hurdles that a Faith Community would encounter while participating in the program.
Liability - As of now, the City has decided to assume ALL liability for any property damage incurred as a result of participation.
Taxes - Some organizations have a religious exemptions (vs a welfare exemption) that preclude them from hosting. Those who are unable to host due to these limitations can still provide resources, meals, support, etc.
Wraparound Services - Partnerships with housing non-profits and social services are forthcoming.
Several key changes from the original concept include:
Expanded Occupancy - Whereas the program originally contemplated 5-8 vehicles, the current ordinance will allow up to 20 vehicles. After studying various rotational sites in Saratoga, it was determined that a single site could host more vehicles if they chose a rotational schedule (e.g. bi-monthly). This would lessen the burden on the host site as well as lessen neighborhood complaints.
Flexibility - A host site would have the choice to host permanently or on a rotational basis. The ordinance is meant to give a host the maximum flexibility.
Focus on Community - A focus placed on cultivating a real community among the RV and Car Dweller population. 15-20 vehicles seems to be a "sweet spot" where this is possible. Standards for community conduct is much easier to enforce when a consistent community is present.
Operational Vehicles Only - All vehicles must be operational and will be provided a fire extinguisher and CO detector during their participation.
The timeline for the first Planning Commission Hearing will be May 13th, 2021. Final adoption after appeal periods will be in mid-July.
Now that there is more clarity on the terms of this program, the City will be actively seeking willing host sites and partner organizations so they can hit the ground running when the Ordinance is adopted. This is where the community can help with leads, donations, commitments to provide meals, etc.
Q & A
Q: What about the $300,000 that was committed as part of the Niles Gateway project?
A: That funding is expected to come in within the next 6 months. In the meantime, the CARES ACT has provided $345,000 that can be deployed immediately, for amenities such as hygiene facilities.
Q: Could we pay our unhoused to pick up trash?
A: Good idea, but haven't looked into it yet. The City does provide dumpsters and provide community guidelines in hopes the community will self-enforce.
Q: Why make people leave everyday? It seems to undermine community.
A: This is up to the host site's discretion and they could do a permanent program should they wish. After research from surrounding communities, rotating sites is easier on the host, and the intention is to provide as much flexibility as possible to not preclude any willing hosts. When the site does rotate, the same residents typically rotate together.
Q: Are city-owned sites under consideration?
A: There was some discussion but none are proposed at this time.
Q: Will there be direct City staff support on the host sites?
A: The City has formed a homelessness division and Staff will be able to assist with candidate screening, and directing folks towards wraparound services.
Q: What about progress on the 2nd & 3rd prong (sanctioned on-street parking & long-term permanent safe parking site)
A: The City continues to "meet people where they are" by providing basic hygiene services where congregations of RV or cars currently exist. This effort has expanded under COVID. The City has begun instituting "good-neighbor" guidelines at many of these locations. In short, sanctioned on-street parking currently exists in many neighborhoods but without the formal label.
How can we help?
After a collective brainstorm, a few ideas emerged from Staff discussions on how the community can help with this effort:
Continue to spread the word for willing host sites, donations, service / meal providers, etc.
Pet Vaccination Clinics - as many RV Dwellers have pets for companionship.
Solar Hookup for RVs - This is a safe, sustainability way to provide power. The greatest need are persons with expertise on how to wire such a system safely, as well as purchase of the panels.
Community Fund to assist with car repairs, license fee, smog checks, etc.
Spread the word on the new Rental Assistance Program, so that more folks don't become unhoused due to backlog of rental debt.
Safe Parking Strategy Discussion - February 9, 2021
Fremont for Everyone gave a summary of the Safe Parking efforts to date. A copy of the slideshow can be found here:
"Rapid Rehousing" by Louis Chicoine (Abode Services).
Mr. Chicoine gave a general distinction between RV / car dwellers and those in encampments / tents. In general, those living in tents / encampments would be more suitable for “Permanent Supportive Housing”, as they may have limited ability for employment, either through disability or physical handicaps, and will require permanent support services throughout their lives.
Those living in RV / cars, tend to be employed, and simply can’t afford the competitive rents in the Bay Area. This population would be ideal candidates for a new model known as “Rapid Rehousing”.
"Rapid Rehousing" is an evolution upon the concept of "Transitional Housing", which has become an antiquated model in social services.
Transitional Housing provides a 2 year timeframe, with no outside support for residents to achieve permanent housing. It forces residents into an institutional setting and has little bearing on the life they face after “transition” occurs.
“Rapid Rehousing” is a process where a third party agency (e.g. housing non-profit, government entity, etc.) functions as an intermediary between a future landlord and an underhoused client. The role of the third party agency is to builds landlord relationships, and to screen for qualified candidates who are “housing-ready”.
The benefits are twofold: the landlord receives guaranteed rent, while the client pays a reduced rent commensurate to their salary. Public funding bridges the financing gap.
This model promotes self-reliance for the Client as it requires regular rental payments and budgeting for finances. The arrangement is NOT time limited and allows the Client to build roots within their community.
In considering Safe Parking options, it would be imperative to find ways to incorporate a permanent housing pathway for the Clients of the program. It would be a wasted opportunity, given that RV / Car dwellers are prime candidates for such a program.
Discussion Summary:
The urgency of the situation requires finding a quick and immediate solution. The negative impacts of the HNC discussion had a profound impact upon the psyche of the unhoused, which by itself cannot be discounted. This process should not devolve into a protracted public discussion and controversial site selection should be avoided.
Finding smaller “pilot” sites to provide proof of concept will help alleviate fears. Discussion ensued around potential sites, organizations, etc.
The City cannot rely solely upon the faith community (or non-profits) to host a private site and will need to commit some resources and financial support. This may include sanitation services, staffing, and physical barriers (fences). There are also concerns about liability issues.
Safe Parking should be seen as an opportunity to direct folks towards permanent housing options, NOT as a standalone permanent solution.
At the same time, there is an imperative to address the needs of RV / Car Dwellers immediately, as it constitutes an ongoing humanitarian crisis. We need to cater to both immediate AND future needs in this decision.
Fremont for Everyone is seeking 5-7 individuals to speak on the issue from various perspectives. A poll was conducted on willing participants and individual follow-ups will be next.
Advocacy Direction:
At the conclusion of the meeting, Fremont for Everyone is urging supporters to advocate for:
Quick, decisive action to reflect the urgency of the situation.
Supportive services or housing assistance to be integrated in the service model.
The City of Fremont to dedicate enough fiscal resources to ensure the program’s success.
Next Steps:
Please stay tuned for a follow up email ahead of the City Council Meeting of February 16, 2021. We will provide an email template with talking points to all those interested in speaking or writing. Please forward to friends and all interested in assisting our unhoused RV dwellers.
Anyone with connections to private landlords, non-profits, or faith-based organizations with large parking lots whom may be interested in a landlease, please contact fremontforeveryone@gmail.com (and we will forward this onwards.)
Safe Parking Strategy Discussion - December 16, 2020
We held our first organizing session on Wednesday December 16. Summary of topics covered:
Background on Safe Parking
Limitations on what we know so far from the City
No site selected yet, but we anticipate push-back once potential sites are named
Council meeting on this topic expected in February, so we want to be ready and have amassed support
City Survey is in progress
We encourage everyone to complete the survey, and share with your networks, including faith communities, social media, other neighborhood groups, other organizations you feel would support this effort
Location options
Suggestions included: Decoto location previously named as HNC possible site, churches, RV parks, having multiple sites. Our actions will be influenced by City decisions/announcements in this regard.
Potential issues + concerns
What percentage of current vehicle-dwellers previously lived in Fremont?
Should we get local Chambers involved?
Would it help to collect/record some stories of current folks who would be helped by this? We think so.
There is a looming eviction crisis as the current moratorium ends at the end of February.