Pierce Council Okays Safe Parking Facilities For The Homeless

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Religious organizations, civic groups, and commercial property owners in unincorporated Pierce County may soon be allowed to set aside their unused parking spaces, and give them to residents who are living out of their vehicles as a safe and secure place to stay.

The Pierce County Council adopted a temporary safe parking facilities policy Tuesday. If it receives the approval of Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier, then starting June 1 community groups, landlords and anyone with parking spaces to spare will have six months to set up and operate safe parking sites. Sites can host up to seven vehicles apiece in all zoning designations. Sites with eight or more vehicles are restricted to urban zones, and require an additional agreement with the county. RVs would also be restricted to the larger, urban sites.

“We know there are countless people currently living in their cars without a safe place to stay. Allowing regulated, safe parking sites for people and families provides a secure, temporary place for them to find stability as they work to improve their financial situation and seek permanent housing,” said Council Chair Derek Young in a statement. “We have waited too long to respond to the growing homeless crisis. This is just one way we can begin to tackle meeting the needs of our most vulnerable residents.”

The proposal is part of the broader Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness, which the council approved back in March. The plan is composed of several short- and long-term solutions to the recent rapid growth in homelessness within the county. There are an estimated 2,300 Pierce County residents who are unhoused, the council said.

Before their parking spaces can be occupied, hosting organizations have to meet with community members to discuss neighborhood concerns. They must also check state and local sex offender registrations to see if anyone using their site is a registered sex offender.

Safe parking sites can have 2 passenger vehicles, with no stipulations. Requirements for larger sites are that:

• Sites for three to seven vehicles must offer access to an on-site restroom or portable toilet, potable water, and trash bins.
• Sites for eight or more vehicles must offer the above public health needs, plus creation of a safety and security plan, a code of conduct addressing behavior like drug and alcohol use, cleanliness, and quiet hours. Site operators must also enter into an agreement with Pierce County to ensure the above requirements are met.

Supporter like Councilmember Jani Hitchens say the goal of the parking facility proposal is to create smaller places where people can stay, even in communities that don't have the space or the need for a full homeless shelter.

"This will provide a network of possible spaces across our entire geographic area, from both sides of the water to up to the mountain," Hitchens said at a public meeting discussing the ordinance last month.

Though the safe parking program will only last for six months, it has a chance to become permanent. Once it is in full swing, the county's Planning and Public Works Department will conduct an analysis of its effectiveness, and may recommend permanent regulations for safe parking facilities. That decision would need to be made by Sept. 1, 2022.

Related: Pierce County Council Adopts Regional Solution To Homelessness