Residents are outraged after an Arizona city approved a program that would allow homeless workers to sleep in their cars as housing prices soar, according to reports.
The Sedona City Council approved the Safe Places to Park program this week by a 6-1 vote. The program includes 40 designated parking spots for full-time employees within the city limits with temporary restrooms and showers. AZ Central reported.
“I don’t think there’s anyone or any staff member who is very proud of this. This is a last-ditch effort,” Mayor Scott Jabrow said of Tuesday’s controversy, when local residents spoke out against the program. He spoke during a seven-hour meeting. “Nobody’s proud because this isn’t really the answer. It’s his one answer out of many.”
Those enrolled in the program are required to participate in local social services with the ultimate goal of securing permanent housing, the paper said.
Opponents argue that the site would lead to pollution, drug use and other illegal activities, and would negatively impact the park and area.
Safe Place to Park is funded by a two-year grant from the Arizona Housing Authority. The site will be managed by the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition, which will be responsible for monitoring the site from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.
Vehicles must leave the premises during the day.
The lot will be located on a 6-acre parking lot within a 41-acre cultural park on land purchased by the city of Sedona for $23 million last year, according to AZ Central. This area is not visible to residents of that area.
City officials emphasized that the program is temporary and will end in 2026, when the two-year grant runs out. This land is also scheduled to be rezoned in June 2026.
The program comes after a year of planning as the city seeks solutions for housing city employees while waiting for a number of affordable housing projects to be completed.
Supporters say the measure would help people who would otherwise be sleeping illegally in cars or on the streets.
“If we don’t do this now, there will never be a time to do this,” said City Council member Melissa Dunn.
“You can wait two years for housing to be found, but these people will be living on the streets in their cars and in the forest under dangerous conditions,” she added.
