Homelessness Waiver
One-Time Towing and Parking Citation Waiver for Homelessness Policy
Overview:
This policy implements a multi-pronged approach to assist individuals living in a vehicle that has been towed and impounded at the City of Long Beach’s (City) impound facility to recover their vehicle. The intent is to provide a one-time courtesy waiver of parking citation fines and towing and impound fees to an individual if the criteria set forth in this policy are met. The policy also encourages persons experiencing homelessness to take advantage of the City’s homeless resources, including those provided at the City’s Multi-Service Center.
Responsibilities:
The Director of Finance will ensure Towing and Commercial Services comply with this policy and the Director of Health and Human Services will ensure compliance through the Homeless Services Division.
Procedure:
Individuals experiencing homelessness whose vehicles are towed by the City’s Towing and Lien Sales Division (Towing) may apply for a one-time waiver of their towing and storage fees and outstanding City parking citation fees.
Criteria to Apply:
- Individual must provide proof of indigence status. The Registered Owner/Lessee must demonstrate that he or she is indigent by providing either of the following information:
- Proof of income from three (3) recent pay stubs or another proof of earnings, such as a bank statement that show the individual meets the income criteria set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
- Proof of receipt of benefits under the programs described in subdivision (a) of Section 68632 of the Government Code. Proof of receipt will consist of a copy of the most recent: Verification of Benefits Form or Award Letter for Social Security.
- If the Registered Owner(s)/Lessee(s) does not have income or receives public assistance, a copy of their annual earnings from the Social Security Department is required.
- Individual must be validated as homeless and living in their vehicle by Homeless Services or self-declaration.
- Individual must be screened by Homeless Services and deemed eligible for homeless resources.
- Vehicle must not be on-hold for other reasons (i.e., Police Evidence Hold).
- Vehicle must have been towed by the City.
- The one-time waiver covered under this policy is applicable to an individual only, not a vehicle. Only one waiver will be granted per individual.
- After their vehicle is towed, individual should fill out a One-Time Towing and Parking Citation Fee Waiver Request Form.
- Individual will fill out Part A (basic information) and B (indigence information) of the application.
- Towing will fill out Part C of the application (outstanding tow charges) and Part D, a summary of any parking citations.
- After Parts A through D are completed, Towing will forward the application via email to the Homeless Services designated contact. The application will include photos of the vehicle indicating the vehicle appears lived-in.
- Homeless Services will assess the individual for services and referrals based upon a client- centered model, and ensure the individual completes the Homelessness Declaration (Part E).
- Homeless Services will complete Part E of the application, including eligibility for waiver based on their screening of the individual and their circumstances.
- Homeless Services will forward the completed application via email to the designated Towing contact, with copies to the Towing Superintendent, and Commercial Services and Fleet Services Bureau Managers. The Director of Financial Management has identified the Fleet Services Bureau Manager as his/her designee, with authority to approve the one- time towing/parking citation fee waiver request.
- The Director of Financial Management, or designee, will review the information and, if all of the criteria is met, will authorize the one-time waiver of parking citation fines and towing fees. The application will then be returned to the Commercial Services Bureau or Towing (as appropriate), with Part F completed.
- Towing will contact the individual to complete the waiver process.
- Both Homeless Services and Towing will track all waiver applications.
- The decision of the Director of Financial Management, or designee, is final and not subject to appeal.
- If the individual does not report to Homeless Services within three days of submitting the waiver application to the Towing and Lien Sales Division, the application will be considered abandoned and the vehicle will be processed for lien. Exceptions will be handled on a case by case basis.
- If an individual’s waiver application is found to have been willfully fraudulent, his/her waiver will be disapproved and the full amount of fines and fees restored.
- If an individual’s vehicle was not towed by the City, he/she does not qualify for the one- time waiver of fines and fees.
Definitions:
Indigence: As defined by California Vehicle Code 40220 (AB-2544); to prove Indigence, the Registered Owner/Lessee must demonstrate that he or she is indigent by providing either of the following information as applicable:
Proof of income from most recent pay stub or another proof of earnings, such as a bank statement that show the individual meets the income criteria set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
Proof of receipt of benefits under the programs described in subdivision (a) of Section 68632 of the Government Code. Proof of receipt will consist of a copy of the most recent Verification of Benefits Form or Award Letter for Social Security.
If the Registered Owner(s)/Lessee(s) does not have income or receives public assistance, a copy of their annual earnings from the Social Security Department is required.
