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Bellevue directs staff to seek extension of Safe Parking pilot after operator houses more than 30 households
Summary
Council directed staff to return with a resolution to extend the city's safe parking pilot operated by For Tomorrow through Dec. 31, 2026, after staff reported more than 30 households had moved into housing.
The Bellevue City Council voted March 10 to ask staff to return with a resolution amending city agreements so the Safe Parking pilot at Lincoln Center can continue through Dec. 31, 2026.
City staff and program operator For Tomorrow told the council the program launched in spring 2024 with roughly $450,000 per year in budget and a 20-car pilot goal. Bianca Siegel, director of the Office of Housing, and outreach manager Niko Quijano reported that over the pilot's first 10 months the program helped more than 30 households (more than 60 children) secure stable housing and assisted households with child care, employment and school enrollment.
Quijano described program features the council had required during setup: a 24/7 phone line for neighbors, a security plan approved by Bellevue Police Department and site renovations to make the day center welcoming for families. "Since that program has launched, For Tomorrow has reported no complaints or concerns with regard to the safe parking program," Quijano said.
Council members praised the operator and staff's results and unanimously passed the motion directing staff to return with a resolution to amend the professional-services and lease agreements with For Tomorrow so the program can continue at Lincoln Center or another site through Dec. 31, 2026.
Staff noted Lincoln Center is an aging building and city property managers are exploring alternatives, including temporary portable buildings or moving the program to a different city-owned site if Lincoln Center becomes unavailable. Council also directed staff to explore faith-based partnerships; For Tomorrow and the Office of Housing reported an initial collaboration is forming with Newport Presbyterian to pilot a church-hosted safe-parking site with city case-management support.
The council recorded no emergency calls related to program clients at the Lincoln Center site and said it will monitor the program's outcomes and site logistics as part of the pilot extension.
