Seattle City Council Passes Ordinance Expanding Secure Safe-Parking Sites for Vehicular Residents

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle City Council voted 8–1 to pass a comprehensive municipal ordinance expanding the Vehicle Resident Assistance Program, allocating $4.8 million to open two managed safe-parking lots in Ballard and West Seattle.

Providing Safe Transition and Housing Pathways

The safe-parking facilities provide 120 dedicated overnight spaces equipped with secure fencing, mobile hygiene trailers, 24-hour staffing, and on-site housing caseworkers to help unhoused individuals living in passenger vehicles transition into permanent supportive housing. The ordinance pairs managed lot access with enhanced parking enforcement along commercial industrial corridors.

Council members affirmed that providing secure parking with wraparound supportive services provides unhoused residents with physical safety while preventing unmanaged vehicular encampments on neighborhood streets.

Neighborhood Business and Homelessness Advocacy Feedback

Ballard and SODO industrial business federations supported the managed lots for restoring clear freight parking along maritime corridors.

Homelessness service providers praised the inclusion of vehicle repair assistance funds to help residents maintain employment.

Operational Launch Dates

The Ballard safe-parking facility will commence intake operations on October 15, 2026.