Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Mark Gordon

Abstract

The Safe Parking Pilot Program was a crisis response to the recent increase in vehicular homelessness in a Northern Californian city. The city identified issues of unsheltered individuals due to the increase housing cost and unaffordable housing. The city partnered with faith-based organizations to provide safe locations for individuals sheltering in vehicles. The current research aimed to evaluate benchmarks and metrics to measure the safe parking pilot program. The purpose of the study was to help the city leaders and the key stakeholders identify measures of success and how they might improve the program in one Northern Californian city. Semistructured interview data from the 12 key respondent stakeholders were collected and analyzed using qualitative method. The data were coded and managed using NVivo software. Participants included program leaders, program coordinators at the city, and police officers that provided security for the program. Data indicated that each stakeholder had unstated metrics to measure the program’s success. The common theme found among the stakeholders was the lack of formal benchmarks to measure success. Program utilization, growth of volunteers, and ability to move unhoused vehicle dwellers to temporary and permanent housing were among the themes developed from the data. The safe parking program should develop benchmarks for rehousing rates, lengths of stay, and service engagement with all stakeholders. The engagement of internal and external stakeholders allows positive social change through clear indicators of success for multiple stakeholders.

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