San Diego County has established a new overnight safe parking site in Grantville, which opened on Thursday morning. This facility aims to provide a secure space for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in their vehicles. The site is designed to accommodate up to 20 vehicles, with parking available from 17:30 until 07:30 the following morning.
The parking lot, which is county-owned, is part of a larger plan to develop **300 units of affordable housing** at the same location, projected to break ground in late **2026**. According to **San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo**, the initiative is essential for helping individuals transition to stable living situations. He stated, “This helps people transition out of that and into a stable place to grow their lives and their families.”
While waiting for the housing development to commence, the site will offer more than just a place to sleep. **Dreams for Change**, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting unhoused individuals, will manage the facility. The organization plans to facilitate connections to stable housing options, employment opportunities, and health services for the residents. Additionally, amenities such as bathrooms, dinner, and a continental breakfast will be provided.
Teresa Smith, the chief executive officer of Dreams for Change, anticipates that the site will quickly reach capacity, likely within just a few days. The announcement of the new parking site was made in the presence of several notable officials, including **Dijana Beck**, director of the county’s Office of Homeless Solutions, **County Supervisor Joel Anderson**, **United States Representative Sara Jacobs**, and Councilmember Raul Campillo. Jacobs emphasized the site’s purpose by stating, “Here, people have access to bathrooms and daily meals and case managers. Here, people have safety and stability and dignity and hope.”
Expanding Emergency Housing Options
The Grantville parking site is part of a broader initiative by San Diego County to enhance emergency housing options for individuals experiencing homelessness. Similar safe parking sites have already been established in **Spring Valley** and **El Cajon**, which have collectively served over **260 individuals** to date. County Supervisor Joel Anderson noted that approximately **52%** of those utilizing the Spring Valley and El Cajon safe parking sites have successfully transitioned to permanent housing.
The county’s efforts extend beyond safe parking lots. A program utilizing hotels and motels as emergency housing has also been implemented, with around **40%** of participants in that program moving on to permanent housing, as reported by Dijana Beck.
Beck remarked on the varying experiences of those facing homelessness, asserting the need for multiple pathways out of this situation. “Everyone’s journey to homelessness looks different, and their way out of homelessness also looks very different. So it is important, based on feedback that we received from our community, including people with lived experience, that we have different options,” she stated.
As San Diego County continues its commitment to addressing homelessness, the new overnight safe parking site in Grantville represents a significant step forward in offering immediate support while paving the way for long-term solutions.
