Family Safe Parking Program: A Guide for Broward Families and Donors

When you’re experiencing housing insecurity, figuring out your next move can be overwhelming. And if you’re unhoused with children, everything from finding a place to stay for the night to securing long-term housing can seem downright impossible. 

While managing one of life’s most stressful events, you’re forced to grapple with questions like: 

• • Where can I sleep in my car if I’m homeless? 

• • Can I safely sleep in my car if I’m single?

• • Are there any safe places to sleep in your car with kids? 

• • How can my family take showers and use the restroom? 

Experiencing housing insecurity is a life event, not your whole story. Every day at HOPE South Florida, we help families navigate this season with grace, humility and care. One of the ways we serve families in Broward County is through our Family Safe Parking program. 

What is Family Safe Parking? 

Family Safe Parking in Broward is HOPE South Florida’s signature support program to help families in a housing crisis move toward stability. We do this by offering a temporary, structured safe housing solution for families sleeping in their vehicles overnight. 

 

After enrolling in the program, families are able to park their cars in our lot overnight and rest safely — free of charge. 

 

In addition to gaining access to our secure lot for the evening, families who participate in Family Safe Parking will also be eligible to receive additional services, as well as connect with family advocates. 

 

These in-house team members help families develop plans to obtain stable housing, find employment and connect with other relevant services.

 

The ultimate goal?

 

Every family regains independence. 

What are the benefits of this program? 

According to Patricia Jones, a family advocate with HOPE South Florida, the benefits offered through Family Safe Parking extend far beyond the material needs that are met through program participants. 

 

“We are building a community of people who refuse to be held back—resilient and relentless—pushing through every challenge, breaking down every barrier, and turning obstacles into fuel for growth, progress, and a sustainable tomorrow,” she wrote.

 

Our Family Safe Parking program is more than just a lot you can sleep in with your family while you try to figure things out; it’s the first stop on your journey back toward stability and financial independence. 

 

One of our church partners involved with this program believes this is a critical support system for families experiencing homelessness and hardship in Broward. 

 

“During this challenging time in their lives, families gain peace of mind knowing they have a secure place to stay where they are welcomed and supported,” she wrote. 

 

“A stable environment where children can safely play, families can take hot showers, and everyone can enjoy a nutritious hot meal,” she continued. “These essential services help meet immediate needs while restoring dignity, reducing stress, and providing hope for families as they work toward stable housing and a brighter future.”

Beyond securing a safe place for you and your children to sleep, enrolling in Family Safe Parking also gives you access to: 

• • 1:1 support with a family advocate. 

• • Dinner and a light breakfast for your family. 

• • Shower and restroom access. 

Our Family Safe Parking program is available to the public, but families must enroll in order to gain access to our lot, facilities and resources. 

 

If you’re interested in enrolling in our Family Safe Parking program, fill out this questionnaire with a few important details about your family and circumstances. 

 

Our team will review your submission, determine your eligibility and get back to you with a response in 1-2 business days. 

How to Support Our Mission

At HOPE South Florida, we rely on the generous donations of our community members to offer programs like Family Safe Parking to vulnerable families in Broward County. 

 

According to Jones, there are many ways individuals can support this initiative. “Our donors can supply monetary gifts to [HOPE] or purchase things like car charging stations, rechargeable fans,” she wrote. “Mosquito/fly lamps (individual or purchase for the property) and nets for the car doors windows, rechargeable lamps, small storage bins for their cars, access to laundry facilities, gas cards.”

 

If you’d like to support our mission with a monetary donation or learn more about how you can make an impact, visit our donations page.