A new avenue for sheltering Sonoma County’s homeless

Christine Chapman, 65, hunkers down in the car she shares with her brother at the “Safe Parking” lot. They’ve been living in the car since a flood drove them from their trailer along a river.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Frederick Helmke, left, hugs case worker and site manager Bianca Belmont at the “Safe Parking” lot. Helmke lives in a motor home he bought for $38.50.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Anthony Contreras eats dinner in his car at the ¿Safe Parking¿ lot. The program is seen as a ¿Band-Aid¿ on the issue of homelessness, but an important one.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Mark Prouty, 42, shaves after showering at the “Safe Parking” lot. Because it’s at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, it has bathroom facilities, including showers. Prouty lives out of his Volvo wagon and has been camping out for more than 20 years.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Mark Prouty smokes a cigarette under a propane heater at the warming area at the “Safe Parking” lot. The Santa Rosa-area community has stepped up to help provide amenities such as heaters.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Cody Wertz smokes a cigarette at the lot in Santa Rosa. He, his girlfriend and their two dogs are living in his station wagon.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Dawn breaks at the “Safe Parking” lot. Over 20 vehicles were parked at the lot, which is available from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next morning through April 30.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane helped spearhead support and funding for the “Safe Parking” program, run by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. “Our mantra is decriminalization,” Zane said. “It was just stupid to say it’s illegal to sleep in your car. For some people, all they own is their car.”  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Genevieve Agrusa and Jeff King get ready to leave the “Safe Parking” lot. The homeless couple had lost their own motor home in a fire just days before and are now staying in the motor home of another homeless man, Frederick Helmke.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Anthony “TC” Contreras eats a bowl of grits after spending the night in his car at the “Safe Parking” lot. Officials see the program as a temporary solution for area homeless people, but an important one.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Lea Glynn, left, and boyfriend Cody Wertz wait for checkout time after spending the night in his station wagon at the “Safe Parking” lot. A stint staying at her ill mother’s ended because she couldn’t handle their two dogs.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Lea Glynn and Cody Wertz pack up to leave after spending the night at the “Safe Parking” lot. They’re living in the the Ford Taurus station wagon with their two dogs.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Cody Wertz waits to check out at the “Safe Parking” lot. To participate in the safe parking program, people must abide by a set of rules.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)