Daniel

Daniel never anticipated experiencing vehicular homelessness, but he recalls it feeling “like a snowball effect.”

He spent much of his life between southern California and Las Vegas and saw the cost of living slowly rise above what he could afford. Daniel periodically slept in his vehicle to save money on rent but never considered it a permanent situation. After the difficult passing of his father, he returned to California for a final time, and, unable to afford the cost of living, he was stuck sleeping in his car.

He worked Instacart and was able to make money but with constant bills, child support payments, and trying to keep his vehicle maintained, he couldn’t afford an apartment. Primarily sleeping in a Planet Fitness parking lot where he could exercise and shower, Daniel was moved to look for a safer situation after security began kicking people out of the parking lot. Through a Google search he found Safe Parking LA where he was quickly enrolled.

Before joining the program, Daniel didn’t realize the support that Safe Parking LA had to offer. After working closely with his case manager, Alma, he was able to get connected to PATH who eventually found him housing. Through savings he accrued over a period of months and financial assistance from SPLA, he moved into a studio apartment.

Daniel always considered his situation temporary and knew that given time things would change. These days he looks forward to spending more time with his children and hopes to start his own trucking business.