Colorado Safe Parking Initiative

COLORADO SAFE PARKING INITIATIVE SUPPORTS AND FACILITATES THE CREATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SAFE PARKING SITES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF COLORADO RESIDENTS THAT MUST SLEEP IN THEIR CARS WHILE HOMELESS.

CSPI MAINTAINS AND GROWS A NETWORK OF LEGAL PARKING LOCATIONS, "SAFELOTS", IN THE DENVER METRO AREA, PROVIDING A SAFE, SANITARY PLACE FOR PEOPLE SHELTERING IN VEHICLES TO PARK OVERNIGHT WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT TO SERVICES AND TRANSITION TO PERMANENT HOUSING. PEOPLE SHELTERING IN VEHICLES EXPERIENCE MANY DAY-TO-DAY TRIALS INCLUDING ACCESS TO BATHROOMS, SHOWERS, AND LAUNDRY; LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD AND/OR THE ABILITY TO PREPARE FOOD; PET CARE; ACCESS TO ONLINE SCHOOLING; AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. SAFELOTS ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES, PROVIDING DAY-TO-DAY STABILITY WITH A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE TO PARK, ACCESS TO SERVICES, AND IMPROVED REST WHICH CAN LEAD TO BETTER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES. VEHICLE RESIDENCY IS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING FORMS OF HOMELESSNESS. CSPI SAFELOTS PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH SAFETY AND STABILITY, REMOVING BARRIERS BY BRINGING NEEDED SERVICES TO THEM, AND CREATING COMMUNITY AMONG THEM, ALL WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING THEM TO FIND THEIR WAY BACK INTO HOUSING. CSPI IDENTIFIES AND TRAINS SITE HOSTS, SECURES SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND PROVIDES A CENTRAL POINT OF OUTREACH AND INTAKE FOR SAFELOT PARTICIPANTS (GUESTS). FROM FIRST CONTACT, CSPI USES A CALM WELCOMING APPROACH, HELPING INDIVIDUALS ACCESS A SAFE PLACE TO PARK COUPLED WITH SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS, INCLUDING PLANS TO GET BACK INTO STABLE HOUSING. CSPI CONNECTS GUESTS TO A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING HOUSING NAVIGATION AND SUPPORT; BENEFITS ENROLLMENT; FOOD (INCLUDING HOT NUTRITIOUS MEALS); RESTROOMS, SHOWERS, AND OTHER HYGIENE FACILITIES; LAUNDRY; HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES; AUTO MAINTENANCE; MOTEL VOUCHERS FOR WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCIES; AND COMPANION ANIMAL SERVICES.