Safe Parking for Kauai’s Homeless

Homelessness – A Concern for Everyone. KPAA’s members established a goal to expand affordable housing options.  For some, housing is simply out of reach. The large number of Kauai people who are homeless continues to be a major concern.  Housing prices and the economic recession have added to the problem.  For those living in their cars, there are few safe  legal places to park overnight.  The length of stay in campgrounds is limited and overnight parking in parks is illegal.

Safe Parking Program. Drawing on the very successful New Beginnings program in Santa Barbara, California, the Kauai Community Alliance, composed of local organizations offering services to the homeless population, has been looking for ways to establish safe overnight parking in a few private parking lots on Kauai.  Kauai Planning & Action Alliance received a grant from the Hauoli Mau Loa Foundation to establish a pilot program.

The goal is to establish a minimum of three private property sites to serve the North Shore, East Side and West Side that can help vehicle dwellers achieve a level of stability to support positive changes in their lives.  The number of cars at each site will be limited, generally no more than three to five cars.  In Santa Barbara, sites typically are at churches, nonprofits and private businesses, with restroom facilities available, and parking is permitted from evening to early morning only.  Kauai’s first site has been identified and the program will begin in early Fall 2010.

Catholic Charities Hawaii will serve as case managers to provide intake services, offer referrals to needed services and provide parking permits for a one month period at a specific site.  The parking permits can be renewed.

Safe Parking Sites are Needed. If you own property that could serve as a Safe Parking site, please contact KPAA.