REDMOND, Ore. – At a packed Redmond City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, city leaders moved forward with a key update to the Safe Parking Program ordinance, approving the inclusion of microshelters at designated parking sites. The decision comes as part of the city’s continued efforts to address homelessness by providing a safer, more stable environment for those transitioning out of homelessness.
The amended ordinance, Number 2024-16, passed unanimously with no opposition from the public, signaling strong community support for the initiative. The update will allow a limited number of microshelters, or “pods,” to be placed at select Safe Parking Program locations throughout Redmond.
The microshelters, designed as small, garden-shed-sized structures, are intended to offer individuals a basic, temporary living space that promotes stability as they work toward securing permanent housing. According to Rick Russell, Executive Director of Mountain View Community Development, the non-profit organization responsible for managing the program, the shelters are equipped with essential features such as a bed, storage, heating, cooling, electricity, and lighting. However, the structures do not include plumbing, keeping the setup simple yet functional.
“A microshelter is less than 100 square feet, providing just enough space for an individual to sleep and store their belongings. It’s a very basic structure, but it offers warmth, safety, and a sense of security,” Russell explained.
The Safe Parking Program, launched in 2021, allows individuals experiencing homelessness to park overnight in designated locations while receiving assistance in transitioning to more permanent housing solutions. The inclusion of microshelters adds another layer of support to this initiative, offering residents more privacy and stability compared to sleeping in a vehicle.
Mayor Ed Fitch, who has been a strong advocate for the program, emphasized that the addition of microshelters was a logical next step in addressing homelessness in the city. “Getting people out of cars or off the street and into a safe, warm environment—it’s really a no-brainer. We need to do everything we can to help people regain stability and move into permanent housing,” Fitch said.
The city will permit up to eight microshelters at Mountain View Community Development’s Safe Parking sites. According to Fitch, the shelters are expected to be constructed and ready for use within the next few months.
The approval of the ordinance marks a significant milestone in Redmond’s efforts to combat homelessness, with the Safe Parking Program providing a crucial support system for individuals in need. As the city moves forward with the microshelter pilot program, leaders are hopeful that it will serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.
With the community’s backing and the city’s continued commitment to addressing homelessness, Redmond is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of its most vulnerable residents.
