Safe Parking La

“An Audit Committee staffed by Board Members and SPLA staff work with a 3rd party vendor to provide an annual audit of the financial position of the organization. This committee reviews, provides narrative, and ultimately submits for approval to the full Board of Directors. The Board reviews the Form 990, provides any additional information, and formally approves Form 990 for submittal to the appropriate tax authorities.”

“SPLA has a conflict of interest policy signed and dated by each Board Member at the start of their term. Determinations regarding the enforcement of the conflict of interest policy are first made at the monthly Governance Committee meetings, which then make recommendations for full Board discussion and determination. All Board Members have a duty to self-disclose and disclose of any knowledge of potential conflict of sibling Board Members. All procedures for addressing conflict of interest including violations are described in the Conflict of Interest Policy.”

“Compensation for leadership staff at Safe Parking LA is benchmarked against organizations with a similar operating budget and analogous position. The Board of Directors approves the annual budget, which includes compensation packages for new staff and raises for old staff. Executive Director compensation is directly related to an annual review facilitated and managed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.”

“Available upon written request.”

“Safe Parking LA (SPLA) provides safe overnight parking to facilitate stability and housing in Los Angeles County for individuals living in their vehicles, and advocates for fair and equitable treatment and resources for the unhoused. SPLA prevents chronic homelessness by providing safe parking programs and access to housing-focused case management and supportive services. The below highlights capture the organization's planned efforts to provide safety, stability, and pathways out of homelessness for safe parking participants and the greater community. In October 2023, SPLA successfully separated from its previous fiscal sponsor, Community Partners, and became fully independent and took control of all aspects of fiduciary management. The separation allowed SPLA to fully understand its financial positioning and thrive with new leadership brought on - more specifically, a Director of Operations role was created and a new staff member was hired. The Director of Operations was tasked with developing financial reporting processes and documenting and directing the management of external finance relationships. This has allowed SPLA to have direct oversight of the immediate financial position of the organization. Below is a summary of current programs and activities: Warmline Intake and front door case management for individuals at risk of vehicular homelessness: This initiative provides a staffed community warmline operating 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday, offering direct support to individuals who are currently experiencing or at risk of experiencing vehicular homelessness. Designed as a "front door" to services, the warmline is the first step in a broader system of responsive, person-centered case management. Through initial screening and early engagement, trained staff assess callers' needs and offer immediate support, including problem-solving strategies, access to emergency resources, referrals to appropriate housing alternatives, and, when appropriate, enrollment into SPLA lots. Through the year, the community Warmline served 2,042 households. Secure overnight parking Safe parking program lots are equipped with onsite security personnel and portable toilets and handwashing stations, with no limit to the length of stay. Each participant develops a housing stability plan specifically crafted in collaboration with SPLA case managers. During the year, SPLA lots had 513 enrollments. Case managers provide critical linkages to a wide range of supportive services and work closely with participants as they progress through their individualized housing and stability plans. They take a hands-on, person-centered approach to ensure each participant receives the specific resources and guidance needed to move toward long-term housing and self-sufficiency. This includes helping participants identify goals, overcome barriers, and coordinate access to services such as mental health care, substance use treatment, employment support, income benefits, and housing navigation. Throughout the process, case managers serve as advocates, problem-solvers, and trusted points of contactoffering consistent support and follow-up as participants transition from crisis to stability. They play a key role in ensuring continuity of care and adjusting plans as participants' needs evolve over time. During the year there were 174 exits into a positive housing outcome. Financial assistance Funds available to participants for emergencies and to remove costly barriers to stabilization, such as vehicle maintenance, credit repair, or first month's rent. Our financial assistance program is especially impactful, given that most participants do not qualify for government subsidies. Housing stabilization Housing placement is coupled with housing retention support for 90 days after exit to help stabilize participants in their new placements. This includes access to emergency financial assistance and light-touch case management.”

“Community Warmline and Lot Operations: Safe Parking LA (SPLA) is the largest and oldest program in Los Angeles designed to help people experiencing vehicular homelessness by providing safe, designated parking spaces where they can sleep in their vehicles. The program focuses on ensuring safety, offering services, and providing a pathway towards more stable housing. The "front door" to SPLA is the community warmline, which operates 6 days a week with a live, available staff member to field requests through phone or email. On the line, callers are screened to understand their individual needs and provide appropriate referrals up to and including enrollment into one of SPLA's program sites. Annually, the warmline receives 2,000 inquiries. SPLA operates at a 95% screening rate of these calls. Once a potential participant has been identified as appropriate for enrollment into a program site, individuals are provided a permit to the location of their choice, a AAA membership, and a dedicated case manager. That case manager follows up with the enrolled participant within 3 days of lot attendance to develop a unique Housing Services Plan and enroll that individual or family into the Homeless Management Information System utilized by service providers and agencies throughout the region. On-site, program sites will have a security officer and sanitation facilities - ADA bathroom and handwashing stations. The lot operates 7:30pm-7:30am and is regularly visited by SPLA staff to ensure participant experience and requests are being addressed.”

“Financial Assistance: Once a participant has been enrolled at a program site for 30 days, they become eligible for access to the Participant Financial Assistance (PFA) program. Participants can request direct funds for auto-related repairs, credit repair, and rental assistance. SPLA provides for these incidentals so participants can use their vehicles safely and legally. The car is their current home, but it is also their livelihood and provides access to other vital services and networks. Over 80% of SPLA participants have some form of income, and major barriers to stable, individual housing come down to up front costs such as rental deposits, furniture purchases, and credit repair options. $139,656 was provided in direct financial assistance for auto repairs, housing support, credit repair, and other problem solving funding.”