Redmond Safe Parking Program expands to seventh location to help address homelessness

(Update: Adding video)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- “So the next step for me is actually, hopefully finding a place to actually live in, you know -- a house, apartment," Kevin Wilson said. "But definitely, the RV life is not a permanent life."

Wilson has been a participant in the Redmond Safe Parking Program for the past three months. He lives in an RV with his wife and a family member. He said after battling medical challenges related to COVID-19, he's now back to good health, and recently got his previous job back.

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said the city has been progressive with ways to help both the homeless and the community at large. One effort to alleviate the homeless crisis is the Safe Parking Program, which launched in Redmond roughly two years ago.

"I’m anticipating that by this time next year, we may be able to have a lot of places for people to get off the streets, particularly northeast Redmond, and reduce that conflict with neighborhoods and homeless people living on the streets," Fitch said.

Another participant in the Safe Parking Program, Amanda Harris, has been part of the program for the past 10 months. She previously survived off her Social Security income, but with rent increases, she was unable to make ends meet.

“Those that are in the safe parking, we are trying to move forward -- no drugs, no alcohol, and look for something else, not just to be out there to party," Harris said.

Mountain View Fellowship manages six safe parking sites, totaling 28 spaces for regulated overnight parking for people experiencing homelessness. Case managers meet with the participants weekly to help them reach their goals.

Wilson recently met one of his.

"My case worker, Stephanie, actually helped me and encouraged me to find a job again within reason, and I ended up going back to BASX, and I'm working there," Wilson said.

The Safe Parking Program recently expanded to its seventh location, at the Community Presbyterian Church in Redmond.

“We’ve seen probably 30 people move on to positive locations in the last year [and] 18 to more permanent housing," Pastor Rick Russell with Mountain View Community Church said.

Other Redmond Safe Parking Program sites include a couple lots off Highway 97, near Smile-A-Mile Painting, Mountain View Fellowship, the Redmond Athletic Club, Veterans of Foreign Affairs Hall and county-owned property on the eastside of Redmond.

Russell said, “We have, on any given night, about 30 to 60 people staying as part of the program.”

RVs and campers that are not part of the Safe Parking Program cannot camp within 500 feet of a Safe Parking site.

Fitch notes other camping restrictions based on a city ordinance.

“They’re not allowed in residential areas, they’re not allowed downtown," he said. "And that puts the brunt of where they can be to the eastside of Highway 97, the east side of the railroad tracks."

The Redmond Athletic Club designated two parking spaces to the program, but still faces unauthorized homeless activity in the area.

The city's approach to the issue has been to lead by education and support services.

Redmond Police Lieutenant Eric Beckwith said, “In our code enforcement regarding camping, campers and RVs, as in any other code enforcement, we would want to try and work toward compliance before we issue citations. I think it’s important for people to understand there’s a process before citation that needs to occur."

Given the complexity of the homeless issue, Fitch said the city has been working on more solutions.

On the east side of the city, he said, a managed camp facility with services will be built on county property, near 21st Street.

Fitch said, "The homeless situation is kind of two sides of the same coin. You have to help those in need, but you also have to protect the integrity of neighborhoods, of the community itself."

Wilson added that even with affordable housing, he is consistently asked to provide twice the cost of rent (the so-called "first and last,") which makes transitioning a bigger challenge.

He hopes for more cost-effective resolutions in the near future.