No one deserves to live in ‘The Dirt.’

In Redmond, they call it “The Dirt.” In Bend, it’s “Dirt World.” They’re the places people set up tents or park broken down RVs and cars when they have nowhere else to go.

It’s scary. You can’t secure your stuff, so it gets stolen. You try to sleep, but it’s impossible when people are yelling the middle of the night.

People have their reasons for not wanting to stay in a shelter, especially women with children and assault victims. So they wind up in a car or an RV, but it’s hard to find a place to park legally.

That’s where our Safe Parking Program comes in. We provide a safe, legal, sanitary place for people to stay.

Not forever. And not without support.

A group of case managers and staff sit around a table with laptops open and a screen behind them.

Case managers meet together every week to touch base on how best to MVCD participants.

More than a place to park

Participants in Safe Parking work with our case managers. They set goals, and together, they achieve them.

As long as they’re making progress and following basic rules to keep the community safe and their spaces clean, they can stay.

“Meeting the Redmond Safe Parking personnel was providential if anything has ever been in my life. The assistance I’ve gained from Safe Parking has been emotional and spiritual, right along with a safe place to put my trailer.”

— Jon S., Safe Parking participant

A motorhome in a parking lot with a fence and a portable toilet

  • Apply for our Safe Parking program by clicking here.

  • We have security cameras at all of our sites. And our participants are required to agree to certain rules that make for a good community.

    We don’t allow drug or alcohol use on site, and we prohibit unauthorized guests.

  • Our case managers meet with our participants weekly. They work together to create housing goals, and they connect participants with social services.

  • Safe Parking is the most cost-effective form of sheltering. Not everyone is comfortable in a shelter, and some people have an RV they want to live in.

    Safe Parking is a healthy alternative to parking on the street or in unauthorized camps.

  • We are always looking for new sites. Please reach out to info@mvcdoregon.org, and we will get back to you.

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