LA helping homeless with safe parking program

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A homeless man sleeps on the sidewalk next to a downtown lot in Los Angeles, California.

The Los Angeles homeless who live in cars, campers and recreational vehicles are getting help in finding a safe overnight parking spot.

The city plans to recruit an agency to operate a safe overnight parking program that will also steer the homeless to social services. Starting the program will cost $750,000 and will mirror other programs in Santa Barbara and Eugene, Ore.

Bathrooms, showers and trash facilities will be available.

Venice residents have long complained about unsanitary conditions caused by the homeless parking on streets.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority will administer the program. It plans to begin solicit bids from social service providers next month.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.