Funding Cuts Put LA’s Safe Parking Sites for the Homeless at Risk of Closure
Safe Parking Sites Face Closure Due to Funding Cuts
LOS ANGELES – As funding cuts loom, dozens of residents living in their cars in South Los Angeles and Compton may soon lose access to designated safe parking sites, threatening to upend their precarious living situations by the end of June.
The Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS) has announced the impending closure of three safe parking lots, effective June 30, 2026, as their funding has been removed from the new budget. These sites currently provide security, showers, and essential connections to housing resources for approximately 36 households, with a total capacity for up to 60.
Without these facilities, participants may be forced back onto the streets, where they face heightened risks of theft, harassment, and legal issues. HOPICS highlighted that despite 80% of program participants being employed, the exorbitant cost of local housing—requiring income levels two to three times the average rent—remains an insurmountable barrier for many.
Tanya Marshall, who has been part of the safe parking program for three months, expressed her concerns: “We have nowhere to go. We’re going to be sleeping in our car anywhere that we can. It’s not right.” Marshall’s homelessness was precipitated by a rent increase that forced her to leave her housing while living with her daughter.
Jamila Remzy, who joined the program two weeks ago after experiencing job loss and a series of accidents, shared her distress: “It’s very sad, very depressing. I have anxiety attacks. It’s just too much.”
Participants have raised significant concerns regarding the rising cost of living and the challenges of transitioning to stable housing. “You have to make two to three times rent just to get a place. Who makes that kind of money out here?” questioned Tasha Felder Chisman.
In February 2026, county officials approved a homelessness spending plan that included potential funding eliminations for safe parking programs. As the county progresses through its budget phase, the final allocations are expected to take effect on July 1, 2026, determining the future of local support services, including those offered by HOPICS.
Safe parking initiatives in Los Angeles began around 2017 in response to the increasing number of people living in their vehicles. These programs offer a legal, safe space to park overnight, while connecting participants with essential services. Officials from Safe Parking LA report that demand for these spaces continues to surpass availability, with several sites closing earlier this year.
As the mayor’s budget decisions are anticipated shortly, the future of these vital programs remains uncertain. It is still unclear whether emergency funding can be secured to extend program operations beyond the impending deadline, or what alternative support might be available for affected households.
