SafeLots: Springboard Out Of Homelessness

As the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic persist and the moratorium on evictions ends, more people are experiencing homelessness in Metro Denver, and many of these folks are living in their vehicles while they try to get back into housing.

The Colorado Safe Parking Initiative focuses on helping people who are sheltering in their vehicles to find safe places to park and access services. These SafeLots have been created in partnership with faith communities – so far ten SafeLots are up and running in seven Metro Denver communities.

The need is growing, however – in July alone, 175 people reached out to find space in a SafeLot. At best, current lots can meet 10% of the total need. Fortunately, interest in supporting the safe parking approach is growing as well.

This summer, CSPI received huge boosts from three outstanding partners:

• Mile High United Way provided an exceptionally generous grant of $50,000 to support the work of CSPI as it expands to create more SafeLots and provide case management to SafeLot residents.

• A team from Leadership Denver, including Adam Becker-Hafnor from StorySpring consulting, Tony Salazar from the University of Colorado, Nicole Marquez from BBVA Bank (now part of PNC Bank), and Lesley Lincott from 9News, came together to provide support to CSPI, including the creation of the video above and connecting the CSPI team with the Colorado Council of Churches.

• Through its Grand Challenges program, the University of Denver supported the Center for Housing and Homeless Research to complete CSPI’s first program evaluation and also provided direct support for outreach activities.

To find out how you can support safe parking, visit www.colosafeparking.org.