San Diego has agreed to stop enforcing laws that penalized homeless individuals living in their vehicles, following a lawsuit that challenged the city’s Vehicle Habitation and Oversized Vehicle Ordinances. The settlement will forgive outstanding tickets, expand the Safe Parking Program, and provide $15,000 in damages to each plaintiff.
The lawsuit, filed by Disability Rights Advocates, argued that the ordinances unfairly targeted vulnerable populations, particularly those with disabilities.
The Vehicle Habitation Ordinance, passed in 2019, prohibited people from using their vehicles as homes, while the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance restricted parking for large vehicles overnight.
Advocates claimed these laws criminalized homelessness instead of addressing underlying issues like affordable housing.
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As part of the settlement, the city will improve its Safe Parking Program by adding more spaces and upgrading facilities with amenities such as bathrooms and electricity.
The program provides a designated area where people living in vehicles can park overnight without facing fines or harassment. Law enforcement will also receive training to ensure respectful interactions with unhoused individuals, particularly those with disabilities.
The settlement, which includes court oversight for three years, is seen as a victory for advocates and a shift toward a more compassionate approach to homelessness in San Diego. “This settlement is a step toward more humane treatment of our homeless neighbors,” one advocate said.
San Diego hopes that by focusing on services rather than enforcement, they can create long-term solutions to the homelessness crisis while ensuring the rights and dignity of individuals living in vehicles are protected.
