$11.9 million in federal funding could come to eight community projects along Central Coast kcbx.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kcbx.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
MORE Santa Barbara’s Safe Parking Program currently manages 154 spaces in 26 parking lots throughout Santa Barbara, Goleta, and unincorporated areas of the county. Photo courtesy of New Beginnings.
Santa Barbara started a Safe Parking program in 2004 for folks living in their vehicles. It was one of the first in the U.S. to offer a reprieve from expensive parking tickets or that 3 a.m. knock on the door plus it offered supportive services to get people into permanent housing.
The program’s been a model for similar ones, including Safe Parking LA, which began five years ago.
While programs like these rely on donations and grants, one U.S. House member wants the federal government to chip in as well. Last week, Democratic Congressman Salud Carbajal of California unveiled new legislation that would set aside $125 million in federal funds for programs targeting people living in vans, cars, and RVs.