Mountain View, CA
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“Safe parking” is a free program that provides a temporary, safe location to park for individuals and families living in a vehicle, while providing access to services that will transition them into more stable housing. The goal of safe parking is to offer stability — a reliable transition space for program participants as they work through challenging times and make the changes needed to get them back on the path to more stable housing.
Restrooms, water, wash stations and other basic services are provided on the safe parking lots for participants. The program is NOT for commuter or recreational parking.
A Safe Parking Operator (such as MOVE MV) manages the lot, reviews and interviews applicants, links applicants with social services, and provides limited liability coverage.
Here is information to apply if you are living in a vehicle or if you would like to host a safe parking program on your private lot.
| ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM | HOW TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM |
|---|---|
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View and download our Safe Parking Program Fact Sheet
Mountain View's Safe Parking Locations
The City in partnership with the County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing operates the safe parking lots noted in the chart below.
At this time, the City operates the largest safe parking program in the County of Santa Clara.
| Lot | Planning Zone | Vehicle Type | Capacity (Living Spaces are noted in bold) | Time FramE Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Bella (Alta Housing) | General Industrial (MM) | OVs with some passenger vehicles | 9 OVs | Use of the lot has been extended through June 2024* |
| Shoreline Lot B (on Crittenden Lane) | Public Facility (PF) | OVs with some passenger vehicles | 46 OVs 2 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) commuter vehicles 1 loading zone space |
Could be ongoing for as long as Council directs, Live Nation extends the agreement, and County Environmental Health approves the plan |
|
Evelyn Lot (former VTA parking lot) |
General Industrial (MM) | OVs with some passenger vehicles | 30 OVs 21 flex spaces (for either living or commuter parking purposes, where a buffer is only required for spaces used for living purposes) |
Until construction for affordable housing begins (estimated Q1 2026) |
| St. Timothy’s Lot (faith) *On hiatus |
Single-Family Residential—R1 |
Passenger Vehicles | 4 | No end date designated at this time |
| Lord’s Grace (faith) | North Bayshore Precise Plan—P(39) | Passenger Vehicles | 4 | No end date designated at this time |
Existing total: 114 safe parking spaces
*Timing is dependent on the development of affordable housing.
| How to Host Safe Parking Program on a Private Lot | Essential Requirements |
|---|---|
| To offer space for safe parking on your property, you are willing to host pre-interviewed applicants by providing an existing parking lot, agree to comply with City health and safety requirements, and complete a permit application. The City Council adopted a safe parking ordinance that is effective as of November 22, 2019. All safe parking lots need to comply with this ordinance. The provisions of this ordinance are intended to help ensure safe parking facilities are compatible with surrounding uses and are effective at facilitating participants’ transition to permanent housing and meet basic health and safety requirements. When a Shelter Declaration is declared in the City of Mountain View, which is currently in effect and subject to reauthorization, property owners may choose to host a Safe Parking Program by applying for a Police Department permit. The permit process includes a helpful checklist on the requirements |
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Top 10 Facts and FAQ
- Safe parking programs offer stability for homeless individuals and families living in a vehicle in the form of a reliable transition space and services for participants as they work through challenging times and make the changes needed to move toward being rehoused and, where applicable, reemployed. A structure is not offered, but stability is, and data on existing programs show participant appreciation of having a safe, consistent place to sleep makes complying with program rules easy.
- As shown above, the eligibility requirements for the City of Mountain View are families with students in Mountain View school districts, those who live/work in Mountain View, Seniors (55+), and people with disabilities. This information is verified by the program operator in accordance with the City of Mountain View’s safe Parking Ordinance.
- Safe parking is not for transient workers or professionals who choose “living in their cars to save money.”
- Safe parking programs are similar to traditional sheltering which offers supportive services to participants and meet safety standards. There is no structure. Safe parking ensures participants served are safe, and the impacts on the host property and surrounding neighborhood are limited.
- Safe parking programs are an evolving policy approach in response to the housing crisis. They are being implemented in a number of places around the County and State, but are mostly modest in scale to date. Further, Mountain View City-lot programs focused on RV guests are newer still.
- Safe parking programs show approximately 30% of participants (data mostly on passenger cars) are able to obtain interim or permanent housing as their next step after safe parking. While the data is still limited due to how new the programs are, this early evidence from Santa Clara County shows promise.
- The City’s Safe Parking Program can currently host up to 114 parking spaces
- Safe parking operator staff will be available to address any concerns. The local non-profit MOVE Mountain View, operates the Lots of Love – Safe Parking Program and can be reached at (650) 861-0181 or movemvemail@gmail.com (to report non-urgent, non-threatening situations).
- Safe parking participants will be referred only when there is parking space, so that they know they have a stable place to stay. Interested applicants may not just drive to the location and park. To be respectful to our neighbors, no loitering will be allowed outside the gated Safe Parking Program area, and no smoking will be allowed in public areas.
- Additional Ways to Help: Safe parking helpers are needed. For those wanting to help, there will be opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer. Donations are also needed to help participants, including: vehicle repair, routine RV maintenance, gas cards, vehicles insurance, driver’s license fees, food pantry items, hygiene products; blankets, winter coats, socks, pet-veterinarian support, and toilet paper are always needed. All donations should be made through the CSA (See #8 for contact information).
Contact
For assistance, email SafeParking@mountainview.gov or call Human Services at (650) 903-6301. This is not for emergency situations.