Americans can take advantage of a $200k pot to give them a legal place to park their car – there's a single requirement | 1ES3N93 | 2024-05-07 12:08:01
AN innovative parking program just received a renewed $200,000 investment to build out more spaces for drivers.
The Deschutes County Commission in Oregon approved plans to send the funds to Redmond's parking program for unhoused residents.
Redmond's Safe Parking Program has provided spaces for people living in their cars, according to The Bulletin.
The safe parking lot allows residents to sleep in the vehicles and connect with the area's homelessness services.
The Mountain View Community Development, the agency that runs the program, initially asked for $250,000 to fund the program through 2025.
All funding for the program is paid for by millions of dollars from the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act.
Rick Russell, the agency's executive director, told The Bulletin that it will seek additional funding from private supporters.
"We're still very grateful," Russell said.
"The county has been a solid supporter of the program, and it will really help extend our runway for funding."
The program has become an integral catalyst for change in the homeless community, former residents said.
Over 90 people lived on the premises last year.
After 2023, 18 former residents moved into permanent housing, 12 residents moved to other safe programs, and 50 residents remained in the safe parking spot.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> Only 14 people left voluntarily or were removed from the premises.
Colton Hill, a former resident, played a significant role in advocating for the additional funding.
Hill moved into the safe parking zone two years ago.
Previously, he battled homelessness and addiction – the safe spot to stay and connect with services allowed him to find permanent housing.
"The program really saved my life and gave me the time to work on myself, get clean and realize what I want to do is show people that are homeless and have addiction that there is a way out," Hill said.
"Safe parking is a crucial role to that problem."
<p class="article__content--intro"> You can avoid being ticketed by following all posted laws and ordinances, but sometimes mistakes are made </p> </div> </div> The area's police also support the continued funding for the program.
"If we were to lose this service, 50 people — 35 individuals and 15 children — will live out in the street again," Redmond's Police Captain Aaron Wells told the publication.
"In this instance, this program is going to help us do a fantastic job of managing those areas."
More >> https://ift.tt/WthaGnO Source: MAG NEWS
