San Francisco's only designated safe parking area for homeless individuals living in vehicles is slated for closure in early 2025, according to city officials. The Bayview Vehicle Triage Center has been operational since January 2022 and has faced numerous challenges, including high costs and limited success in its mission. This site, which serves residents living out of their vehicles and provides facilities such as 24/7 security and restrooms, costs approximately $140,000 per vehicle annually, as reported by a 2023 budget analyst assessment.
Though the city invested in infrastructure such as reliable power in October 2023, after nearly three years, and installed new light poles, which failed shortly after due to storm damage, the site has continued to operate significantly below its projected capacity. Charles Rawls, a resident at the site, expressed frustration with the lack of basic amenities, saying, as per CBS San Francisco, "They put all this money in it and now they say you're out of here in February. It's crazy."
Shireen McSpadden, executive director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, underscored that the agency's decision to close the site stems from its exorbitant costs and minor impact on the city's homeless situation. "We're really not in the business of running RV parks, and that was very clear to us in this process," McSpadden told the San Francisco Chronicle. Residents have been informed that the caseworkers will assist them in transitioning to permanent housing or shelters and provide other support, such as vehicle repairs.
The city faces an increase in people living in vehicles by 37% over the past two years, yet lacks a clear strategy for addressing this growing segment of the homeless population. A new site with 60 tiny cabins and 20 safe parking spots is expected to open in the spring, which will prioritize RVs presently parked on streets around the new development. Some Candlestick Point safe parking site residents hoped to transition there. However, a homeless department spokesperson indicated that they plan to "start fresh," as per the San Francisco Chronicle.
