Monterey: City to have designated spots for homeless to sleep in their cars [MontereyHerald.com]

During my first year working with N.H.'s statewide Homeless Outreach/Intervention Project, 30% of my caseload involved "Domestic Violence". At a treeless parking lot, in a municipal recreation area, I found an adult woman in her car with three children, who had fled domestic violence. Fortunately, our local domestic/sexual violence shelter program anticipated a vacancy in a few days. I had one particular motel under contract, who would allow Domestic Violence clients to register under an alias, park their cars on the back side of the motel [not visible from adjacent thoroughfares], and the owner-a retired police officer, wouldn't hesitate to call local police if needed.

When I started with the program, the County Sheriff sent a "letter of introduction" to all the town Chiefs of Police, asking them to contact me, if reports of anyone "squatting" in an abandoned building, came in...to give me 3-4 days to get them into shelter before bringing Criminal Trespass charges. Much of my work was made easier by collaboration, as police would give me a "heads-up" if certain buildings became occupied, and I'd motel mothers & children fleeing domestic violence, if police asked for it.

Many areas of the state had collaborative hospitality by numerous local churches. ..... 

This is really great.  I have been in places with no place to go and homeless wishing I could find an acceptable place to sleep in my car. 

Not everyone sleeping in their car though is looking to use drugs or do other non-religious things.  Housing is expensive and so many are left to sleep in the car. 

Hawaii is really bad for having no place for people to go at all.  You cannot find a rural area, cannot drive off roads because you are on an island with cliffs etc.  

I do think this is great to have the goal of helping people get on their feet and out of homelessness.  Wish this could spread everywhere.  Would like everyone to be treated with dignity after all we really all are God's children.  Thanks