HEART operates the program in partnership with a local faith-based organization, which provides parking spaces, space for a portable restroom and an indoor room for food and supply storage, as well as hospitality for parkers in the morning and evening. Photo courtesy of iStock

DAVIS, CA (MPG) – On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Davis City Council unanimously approved a Safe Parking ordinance, formally allowing safe parking programs to operate on both residential and commercial sites under strict guidelines.

HEART of Davis (formerly the Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter) has been running the Safe Heart Safe Parking program as a pilot since July 2025. The new ordinance permits up to five host sites within the city, with a maximum of eight parking spaces per site, and provides an exemption from the City’s Anti-Camping ordinance passed last year. 

“Safe Heart ensures that those living in their vehicles have a secure and respectful environment,” said Shoshana Zatz, president of HEART of Davis. “We are deeply grateful to the City of Davis for partnering with us to provide safety, dignity and peace of mind to our community members in need.” 

The Safe Heart program reflects HEART of Davis’s commitment to addressing homelessness with compassion and practical solutions. By offering a safe overnight parking option, the program helps reduce the risks and stress faced by individuals and families living in vehicles while fostering community trust and support. 

The location of the Safe Heart program is kept confidential to ensure the safety of parkers, volunteers and nearby residents. HEART operates the program in partnership with a local faith-based organization, which provides parking spaces, space for a portable restroom and an indoor room for food and supply storage, as well as hospitality for parkers in the morning and evening. 

All parking applicants are interviewed to confirm their understanding of program operations and agreement to comply with a strict code of conduct, which emphasizes minimizing any impact on neighboring residents. To date, there have been no neighborhood complaints reported to the police.  Participants must also maintain a valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration and insurance within 30 days of entering the program. 

“The success of our program relies on the dedication of over 70 volunteers who greet parkers in the evening and see them off in the morning while providing drinks, snacks and light meals,” said Zatz. “Most volunteers come from local faith-based organizations or the broader community, and we are grateful for the many UC Davis students who volunteer as well. Our program welcomes everyone and has no religious affiliations.”

Volunteers with the Safe Heart program report that it has restored vital opportunities for in-person engagement with the homeless community – connections that were lost when the Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter closed during COVID. The relationships that form between parkers and volunteers, as well as among parkers themselves, have become one of the program’s most powerful outcomes. 

Parkers have mentioned that they value these interactions as rare moments of being truly “seen and heard.” Many spend their days in isolation, and the chance to simply sit together, discuss daily life, share stories or talk about current events has proven profoundly meaningful. These human connections not only provide emotional support but are also fostering self-confidence and a sense of community for both parkers and volunteers – benefits that the program had not initially anticipated. 

Over the past seven months, HEART of Davis has welcomed 14 individuals into the Safe Heart program. Three have already transitioned into stable housing, a few were asked to leave due to conduct concerns and a few moved on without sharing their next destination. Several guests remain actively engaged in the program, and there is a growing waiting list. The average age of parkers is 62, with a range from 29 to 78, highlighting the growing vulnerability of an aging unhoused population and the importance of programs like Safe Heart. 

Operating the program costs approximately $2,300 per month. Funding primarily comes from individual donations, which are critical to program sustainability. HEART of Davis is in discussions with a second faith-based organization to open an additional site and invites other organizations to consider becoming safe parking hosts. Program volunteers are available to offer guidance and share best practices. 

If you or someone you know lives in their vehicle and would like to participate in the Safe Heart program, please call: 530-213-3680 or send an email to: [email protected]. If you would like to volunteer or donate, email [email protected].