Safe Park Indy is partnering with the church to serve that portion of Indianapolis’ homeless population, which earlier this year topped 1,700 people total.
It isn’t clear how many of them live in their cars, but early interest demonstrates an obvious need.
Elizabeth Friedland, the organization’s executive director, said there are more than 50 people on the waitlist. And she’s been getting questions about the program since Mirror Indy first mentioned it in a newsletter in December 2023.
“We knew there was a huge need,” Friedland said.
How to use Safe Park Indy
The program will start with a 60-day pilot beginning Oct. 1, with 10 cars able to stay in the church’s parking lot. Some people may only need to stay for a few days or weeks, meaning more spots likely will open before the pilot ends.
At the end of the 60 days, Friedland said the organization may pause to make adjustments if needed.
Mirror Indy agreed to not name the church because the organization requires a background check and won’t accept walk-ins.
Check-in is between 6 and 8 p.m. every day, and cars must be gone by 7 a.m.
People who stay in the lot also will have access to bathrooms, a community room, Wi-Fi, hygiene kits and snack bags.
Pets are welcome.
Apply for a spot here. Once admitted, the organization will send the parking lot location.
‘Band-Aid on a bullet wound’
Safe parking is not meant to be a solution to homelessness. For that, experts routinely point to what’s called permanent supportive housing, which combines housing with other long-term services such as health care.
Safe parking, on the other hand, is a way to reduce harm.
Friedland compared the concept of safe parking to treating an injury.
“We’re a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, essentially,” she said. “But you’ve got to do something now.”
The concept of safe parking is becoming more popular, with more than 40 programs around the country, Friedland said.
These programs serve some of the least visible among the homeless population.
Often, people who live out of their cars are homeless for the first time, and Friedland said they tend to cycle in and out of homelessness more quickly than others.
Regardless of their circumstances, though, the negative stigma attached to homelessness remains an issue.
Friedland said she contacted around 40 places of worship to gauge their interest in the program.
“I’d say a small handful were even interested in learning more,” she said.
But with the first parking lot secured, Friedland hopes others will see the impact and allow Safe Park Indy to expand.
Interested in volunteering?
Safe Park Indy needs volunteers to help check people in, pass out hygiene kits and snack bags, and help people navigate the lot and indoor space.
Volunteers must complete a virtual training.
Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers economics. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick.
This article first appeared on Mirror Indy and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
