The only safe parking program in South Snohomish County is approaching its 10-year anniversary.

Since December 2015, the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation (EUUC) has served about 350 people through its Car Camp Safe Parking Program. The program offers 10 overnight parking spaces for unhoused people who are living in their cars.

Grant Gladow, who helps run the program, said the church initially started with five parking spaces. They increased that number to 10 after seeing the need.

“I can only see greater demand due to the cost of housing these days,” Gladow said. “A lot of our guests can’t even afford to get in an apartment.”

According to the county’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count earlier this year, 246 people were unsheltered and living in a vehicle. That makes up about

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