Safe Parking programs are a safe and legal homelessness intervention for people who are living in their vehicles to stabilize and connect to resources. While parking sites may take on unique characteristics, most sanctioned locations include access to a restroom facility and the security of a guard.

One way to help alleviate homelessness is to keep vulnerable populations from losing theirs. This is why we are grateful for the work of Urban.org in prioritizing emergency rental assistance to keep renters in their homes by creating an interactive map to highlight where low-income renters face the greater risks of housing instability and homelessness to inform an equitable COVID-19 response.

The phrase in homelessness circles, “Not in my backyard” has a response from church congregations across the country: Yes, in God’s backyard. NIMBYism (Not in My Backyard) is the act of a community constantly denying allocation of space to help the unsheltered. But if the community fears that home values, or the quality of life will fall, take a look around you. Something worse is already happening if nothing is done.