Department of
Health & Human Services

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach has extended its Safe Parking Program and relocated the operating site to a larger, medium-term location near the City’s Multi-Service Center (MSC). The Safe Parking Program provides a safe, dignified environment for people living in their vehicles to park overnight while also being connected to supportive services and temporary or permanent housing.

The Safe Parking Program now operates at a parking lot located at 1664 W. Anaheim St., near the southeast corner of Santa Fe Avenue and Anaheim Street. The relocated operating site expands nightly occupancy to 50 parking spots, includes basic needs like privacy, restrooms, handwashing stations, and a pet relief area, and offers participants easier access to the MSC for additional services during the day. The program operates seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Prior to the relocation, Homeless Services Bureau staff notified current program participants to ensure their stable transition to the relocated operating site. The City also conducted outreach to over 20 businesses in the vicinity of the new location and shared relocation plans at the Oct. 18, 2023, Westside Business Association meeting with local businesses.

Increasing access to services by expanding the City’s Safe Parking Program was of the identified immediate goals established at the start of the City’s local emergency proclamation. In March 2023, the City mobilized a temporary a Safe Parking Site at 1119 Queens Hwy., offering approximately 50 spots nightly. In May, the Safe Parking Program transitioned to 501 Queensway, offering approximately 30 spots nightly. This transition was due to preexisting contracts for special events in and around the Queen Mary area during the summer months.

The Emergency Safe Parking Program has been structured as a temporary mobilization effort pending the identification and acquisition of a site for medium- or long-term use. The current relocation, approved by the Harbor Commission on Sept. 27, 2023, also includes the City entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Long Beach to lease and utilize the land and offers a medium-term solution, providing one year of uninterrupted overnight safe parking and easier access to supportive services, case management, and connections to permanent housing.

The City continues to work towards identifying a permanent Safe Parking Program site.

For more information on the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.

Media inquiries may be directed to the City of Long Beach Joint Information Center at 562.570.NEWS or JIC@longbeach.gov.