San Diego, California — A recent legal settlement marks a significant change in the way San Diego handles its homeless population that relies on vehicles for shelter. The city has agreed to a series of measures, which will adjust enforcement of two contentious ordinances and provide amenities to those living out of their cars.
The class action lawsuit, initiated in 2017, challenged local laws that prohibited people from dwelling in vehicles and issued restrictions on parking oversized vehicles overnight. Advocates for the homeless argued that these regulations unfairly targeted individuals who have no alternative but for vehicular housing.
As part of the settlement, San Diego will dismiss all outstanding citations issued under these ordinances from November 15, 2017, until the recent settlement approval date. Moreover, the Vehicle Habitation Ordinance will now only be enforced in conjunction with another law violation, alleviating some pressure on vehicle dwellers.
The city also committed to enhancing its Safe Parking Program, which offers designated overnight parking spaces to homeless individuals living out of their vehicles. These upgrades include improvements to the Mission Valley lot, such as the installation of running water, showers, and electricity. Furthermore, San Diego pledged not to enforce the vehicular living and oversized vehicle ordinances from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. when the Safe Parking Program lots are full.
Officials formally finalized the settlement last week, following approval by the San Diego City Council earlier this year. The settlement not only addresses immediate issues but also awards damages to the homeless plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit. Each of the nine remaining plaintiffs will receive $15,000. It should be noted, regrettably, that two of the original plaintiffs passed away during the pendency of the lawsuit.
Penny Helms, one of the plaintiffs, expressed that while the settlement doesn’t solve all problems faced by the homeless, it provides necessary relief. Helms highlighted the coming improvements to the Mission Valley parking lot, emphasizing the importance of such facilities that help individuals maintain cleanliness for job interviews and employment—a critical step toward gaining permanent housing.
Ann Menasche, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, noted, “This settlement represents a crucial advancement in treating our unhoused residents with the fairness, dignity, and respect they deserve while also addressing broader housing affordability issues.”
This case stirs a broader discussion on how municipalities regulate public spaces and the impact of such regulations on vulnerable populations. With the legal adjustments, San Diego’s approach could serve as a model for other cities grappling with similar challenges related to homelessness and vehicle habitation laws. This alteration in legal frameworks reveals an evolving understanding and potentially more humane approach to managing urban homelessness, emphasizing support over penalization.