Safe Parking Program for Families Experiencing Homelessness

About the Program

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District partners with nonprofit One Starfish Safe Parking and Supportive Services to provide a safe parking program for families experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the city of Seaside has approved the permit for the program.

The program is designed to allow up to 23 families to park and sleep in their vehicles on district property, and is located  in the lower parking lot at Monterey Adult School at 1295 La Salle Avenue,  Seaside. Seaside has the highest population of families who are experiencing homelessness, and the program location is ideal because of its proximity to the district’s Family Resource Center and the families who are in the most need of assistance.

Currently, the Monterey County Department of Social Services is operating two Safe Parking programs in partnership with One Starfish – one in Marina and one in Seaside (MPUSD’s program). The city of Marina implemented the $150,000 Safe Parking program in December 2017 for up to 15 vehicles in a pilot program.

Criteria and Procedures

• Only enrolled and approved attendees are able to participate in the program. Participants are families within the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and enroll through One Starfish prior to parking at the site. 
• Designated and secured area from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. 
• Bathroom facilities and handwashing stations, trash cans, privacy screens between cars.
• Compensation of program personnel, including a security guard, case manager and program director.
• No-cost to the district. Grant funded through One Starfish.
• Grant funding also provides financial assistance to participating families, such as food vouchers, gas vouchers, vehicle repairs, school supplies and rental deposit assistance.