Encinitas to host public forum on proposed Safe Parking Program Jan. 14

The City of Encinitas is hosting a public forum to discuss the proposed Jewish Family Service (JFS) Safe Parking Program on Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. During the forum, City staff will provide information on the proposed program and address questions.

According to JFS, the Safe Parking Program will provide a safe environment for unsheltered homeless living out of their vehicles while offering resources and services to help them stabilize and transition back into permanent housing. The proposed program includes parking spaces for up to 25 vehicles on an existing parking lot on Leichtag Commons that would be available from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week. It will be managed by four staff, who offer on-site support for services, and overnight security will be provided on site. Program participants will be pre-screened at an offsite location, and walk-ins/drive-ins will not be permitted.

On Nov. 20, 2019, JFS presented the proposed Safe Parking Program to the Encinitas City Council. At that meeting, staff was directed to prepare the necessary agreements to allow the Safe Parking Program for the City Council to review at a future meeting. The draft agreements will be presented on Jan. 22, 2020, at the City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Information about the proposed Safe Parking Program can be found on the City’s webpage at encinitasca.gov/Residents/Housing-Resources/Homeless-Resources

For more information about the workshop, please contact Principal Planner Jennifer Gates at (760) 633-2714 or by email at jgates@encinitasca.gov. Questions may also be directed to the Development Services Department, 505 South Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 at (760) 633-2710 or by email at planning@encinitasca.gov.