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Local nonprofit describes safe‑parking and outreach approach for RV/car dwellers to HRC
Summary
Move Mountain View presenters described low‑barrier safe parking, outreach and case‑management models that they say help people living in RVs and vehicles stabilize and access permanent housing; commissioners asked about eligibility, turning away non‑residents and links to municipal policy.
Kevin (speaker 10) and Amber Stein (speaker 7) of Move Mountain View told the Human Relations Commission that safe parking and low‑barrier engagement are central to their work with people living in vehicles.
"We provide shelter...for individuals that live in their cars and RVs at our safe parking lots," Kevin said, describing intake, weekly or biweekly meetings, and individualized plans to connect people to employment, benefits and housing resources.
Amber described mental‑health needs among clients: "Part of the reason they are homeless is because they haven't been able to fit into society...their mental health condition has prevented them from being able to keep a job," and emphasized trauma‑informed approaches and the slow, trust‑building work required to engage some clients.
Presenters explained eligibility and referral patterns: priority is given to Palo Alto residents (or seniors/disabled county residents in some cases); referrals come from police, outreach teams and a county hotline. The Palo Alto site offers showers, laundry, a kitchenette, a food bank and a clothes closet; presenters said they sometimes must turn applicants away when capacity or eligibility criteria are not met.
Commissioners pressed presenters on how clients respond to municipal enforcement and removal efforts; Kevin said clients react "not well," and Amber emphasized the fear and instability that arise when cities pursue more restrictive parking rules.
The presenters offered examples of clients who stabilized and secured permanent housing through the safe‑parking program, and urged continued community support and coordination with cities to preserve low‑barrier options.
