Sleeping Zone

by By The Associated Press (courtesy of The Homeless People's Network)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) _ Homeless living in cars and campers may be
getting help from the Board of Supervisors: Special sleeping zones in
parking lots.

With rents at an all-time high and more people taking refuge in cars, the
board will consider a proposal Feb. 27 that establishes sleeping zones in
the parking lots of designated churches and public lots.

Supervisor Gail Marshall proposed the law at the request of homeless
advocates. One plan allows three cars per night to park legally and
rent-free in the parking lots of public and private facilities.

A similar program in Eugene, Ore., is serving as a model for county officials.

``It's an issue that needs to be addressed and we agreed to initiate the
discussion,'' said John Buttny, aide to Marshall.

Hundreds of people live in their vehicles on the South Coast, many of them
living on $700-per-month disability checks, officials said. Public sleeping
and camping is against city and county laws.