Matthew Tecle leads Safe Parking LA with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. He brings an in-depth knowledge of homelessness policy and the civic infrastructure in the City and County of Los Angeles. Born and raised in LA as a child of an Eritrean immigrant, Matthew’s heartfelt connection to the community has driven his dedication and service to the Los Angeles region.
Matthew’s extensive career is marked by a steadfast commitment to addressing homelessness, fostering civic engagement, and convening diverse stakeholders to drive meaningful change. He champions a nationally recognized agency at the forefront of delivering safe parking programs and the only organization of its kind focused on ending vehicular homelessness.
Before joining Safe Parking LA in June 2024, Matthew served as the Associate Director for City/County Coordination at the Department of Health Services Housing for Health. In this role, he supported Street-Based Engagement and Mobile Clinic programs, working closely with elected officials and community groups to deliver crucial services to individuals experiencing homelessness across LA County. Matthew also led the Department of Public Health’s first People Experiencing Homelessness Vaccination Unit, where he assembled and led a multi-disciplinary team to provide essential health services, including vaccination, STI testing, and harm reduction supplies to sheltered and unsheltered community members.
Matthew’s public service is further exemplified during his time with the COVID Response Team at Housing for Health. Serving as the operations manager and chief of staff for the COVID Response Director, he played a critical role in expanding the team from 40 to 350 staff members, enhancing LA County’s response to homelessness during the pandemic. This LA County initiative is considered the largest mobile COVID response in the United States, spreading across 4,800 square miles and providing 1.3 million in-field tests and 44,497 vaccinations.
Before his tenure at the County of Los Angeles, Matthew served as a Field Deputy and later Deputy District Director for Council District 11 under Councilmember Mike Bonin. He advocated for initiatives to combat homelessness, promote walkable streets, and uplift environmental justice. His efforts in Westchester and West LA, including the successful introduction of Safe Parking LA’s programs in the district, garnered the support of local stakeholders and civic groups, showcasing his ability to convene and influence diverse community members.
In addition to his professional roles, Matthew has served as a Board Member for the Playa Sunrise Rotary Club, LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, Ballona Wetlands Conservancy, and as CD11’s representative on the Ballona Creek Watershed Management Group.
Matthew holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California Santa Cruz and a Master of Public Policy with a certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management from the University of Southern California.
“Los Angeles is a city made vibrant by the diverse cultures and people that make up our iconic region. It is also a city with stark economic disparities, where it is increasingly challenging for so many people to make ends meet. I refuse to accept that there aren’t solutions. Safe Parking LA represents the spirit, empathy, and creativity of this city, and I am dedicated to advancing our mission and our collective vision for a better Los Angeles.”