Agency directors and senators spoke in support of a bill that would allow the Guam Department of Public Works to determine the minimum number of parking spaces needed at homeless shelters.
During a hearing Monday, Department of Land Management Director Joseph Borja said the rigid enforcement of parking requirements poses an unintended barrier to operating homeless shelters, especially for organizations with limited resources.
“In many cases, homeless shelters are designed to prioritize the immediate safety and welfare of individuals and families, not necessarily vehicle accommodation,” Borja said. “Allowing the Department of Public Works to exercise discretion in determining parking requirements provides the flexibility needed to right-size parking standards according to the actual use and demand of each shelter site.”
Vice Speaker Tony Ada, the sponsor of Bill 159-38, said homeless shelters may anticipate more occupants than an existing building was originally designed for, but shelters don’t need as many parking spaces as other residential structures.
“Shelters are intended to be just that - shelters from the weather, shelters from criminals and places where they can get regular showers, and these are the basics,” Ada said. “Homeless persons usually don't own cars, and shelters are not conducted for residents to receive regular visitors, so parking would be limited to accommodating the employees and social workers who assist the residents.”
Department of Public Health and Social Services Director Theresa Arriola said most of the people seeking services at shelters arrive by foot or are dropped off. Allowing Public Works to address parking requirements on a case-by-case basis would remove a barrier to shelter operations.
“This will be an important step forward in Guam’s response to homelessness by offering dignity and compassion for our most vulnerable while also advocating for the health and safety of the general public in the villages,” she said.
