[5] Santa Barbara’s New Beginnings organization has operated a Safe Parking Program since 2004 in cooperation with local churches, governmental and non-profit agencies, and businesses.
[6] The program currently manages over 200 spaces in 27 parking lots throughout the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and the neighboring unincorporated areas of the county, according to a report from Kristine Schwarz, New Beginnings's Executive Director.
Founder Dr. Teresa Smith, PhD started Dreams for Change to address the rise in first-time homelessness occurring primarily as a result of the Great Recession.
[9] Dreams for Change’s Safe Parking programs offer on-site restrooms, charging stations, and case management services.
Each individual or household also receives access to workforce training programs, resources to find employment, and support with developing a housing plan.
[13] In the fall of 2017, in response to the Hepatitis A outbreak happening among the unsheltered people living on the streets, Mayor Kevin Faulconer (R) approached Dreams for Change to expand the Safe Parking Program to the first city-owned site, on Aero Drive in Murphy Canyon.
[14] That same year, Dreams for Change and Jewish Family Services entered a partnership with JFS being the fiscal agent of the City Funding and DFC being the sole operator.
Referrals can be direct, through the City of San Diego’s coordinated entry, or through the County’s Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities outreach teams.
[19] This was contrasted to San Diego's program which spends $10 per car per night, but does not employ security guards, and puts vehicles closer together in each lot.
[24] In March 2021, Sacramento opened its first two city-sanctioned safe grounds, which offer people experiencing homelessness a place to legally sleep outside in vehicles or tents.