City Council Approves Sherman Oaks Safe Overnight Parking Lot

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — Los Angeles City Council voted today to establish an overnight parking lot in Sherman Oaks where unhoused residents can sleep in their cars. The site, which will be located on Oxnard Street between Sepulveda Boulevard and the San Diego 405 Freeway, is expected to open in early 2021.

Councilman David Ryu, who was recently defeated by Nithya Raman in his bid for re-election to Council District 4, proposed the lot as a safe parking site in February.

"Safe parking is one of many critical tools to solving homelessness in Los Angeles, along with housing, services and stronger tenant protections," Ryu said. "This safe parking lot will be joined by permanent supportive housing nearby in Sherman Oaks, and bridge housing ... and emergency shelter we've built across Council District Four."

City Council authorized nearly $110,000 in funding to establish the safe parking lot. North Valley Family Caring Services will operate the site, which will also offer onsite bathrooms, case management and other services.

The lot is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is under a long-term lease to the city, which will partner with L.A. county on the project.

Last month, City Council moved to buy 16 properties under the state's Project Homekey program, including an 11-unit apartment building in Hollywood.

City News Service contributed to this report.