Summary

Adds “safe parking” as an eligible activity under the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, letting ESG funds be used to operate and maintain parking sites where people living in vehicles can park overnight and receive re-housing and supportive services. The change also defines “safe parking” to include providing a safe overnight place for people living in cars, vans, or motor homes and offering services to help them move into stable housing. The bill does not appropriate new money; it only allows existing ESG funds to be spent on maintenance, operation, insurance, utilities, and supportive services tied to safe parking programs. Implementation will follow existing ESG administration and planning processes at the state and local level.

Key Points

• ESG funds may be used for "safe parking" program costs like maintenance, operation, insurance, and utilities.
• "Safe parking" is defined to include overnight parking for people living in vehicles and provision of re-housing and supportive services.
• The change amends ESG program eligibility; it does not create new funding or appropriate money.
• Local governments, nonprofits, and ESG subrecipients can use existing ESG allocations to operate safe parking sites.
• Implementation uses existing ESG administrative channels (state/local allocations and Continuums of Care).
• Programs may include site management, basic services, case management, and housing navigation to move people into stable housing.
• Communities will need to address zoning, insurance, safety, and coordination when approving or expanding safe parking sites.
• The measure is narrow and operational rather than sweeping—focused on adding one specific eligible activity to an existing homeless assistance program.

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