It is estimated more than 1,000 people sleep in vehicles on any given night in San José. These people are vulnerable to assault, robbery and many types of trauma while living in their vehicles. Safe parking areas provide these individuals and couples with safer places to park overnight.

The City of San José has contracted with service providers to operate two safe parking sites -- one at the Santa Teresa light rail station, and one on Berryessa Road in north San José. Safe parking not only provides security for participants, it also helps connect participants with supportive services, including case management, employment search assistance, housing locator assistance, healthcare referrals, and behavioral health services. Participants are also provided two meals a day.

Program intake is aligned with the City’s targeted outreach and engagement program (TOEP), which identifies eligible participants in two ways:

• Outreach that is coordinated with the Department of Transportation’s Over-sized Lived-in Vehicle (OLIVE) Program; and
• Targeted outreach in City-identified hot spots.

The program is focused on recreational vehicles (RVs). These are vehicles designed for human habitation or designed and used for camping or travel use. Program participants are allowed one (1) commuter car, which must be operable. Commuter cars are only allowed at the sites if there is available space.

RV registration, operability and insurance are not required at the Berryessa site, but they are required at the Santa Teresa site.

Click here to see frequently asked questions and answers about the City's safe parking sites.

Hosting Safe Parking on Private Lots

If your organization is interested in providing safe parking, the Housing Department can offer guidance on what is needed to demonstrate compliance with the City’s ordinance.

• Learn what the requirements are and apply with our Registration Packet.
  • Paquete de registro
  • Gói đăng ký

The free registration process is fast and simple. Any organization interested in creating a safe parking area should contact the City’s Housing Department at safe.parking@sanjoseca.gov.

TEMPORARY AND INCIDENTAL SHELTER

In addition to safe parking, the City of San José has an ordinance in place that enables non-profits, businesses, faith organizations and service clubs to use space in their facilities as temporary shelters for homeless individuals.

Hosting Temporary and Incidental Shelters

If your organization is interested in establishing a shelter, the organization must be registered with the Housing Department by completing a registration packet. The registration packet is intended to help organizations hosting Temporary or Incidental Shelter comply with the City’s ordinance.

• Learn what are the requirements and apply with our Registration Packet.
  • Paquete de registro
  • Gói đăng ký

Please contact host.shelter@sanjoseca.gov with questions about the Temporary and Incidental Shelter Program.

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