New Saratoga Springs parking fees could help homeless

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Officials in Saratoga Springs are reminding residents to register for a summer parking permit because new parking fees will be rolled out soon. The mayor said those new funds could help the city’s most vulnerable. 

Local leaders are urging eligible city residents to register their vehicles with the city to avoid those new fees, starting June 10, and park in city-owned lots and garages for free.

Mayor John Safford called it an experiment. He said they expect the $2 an hour parking fee for non-residents to generate revenue. 

“We expect that that revenue will be used for a lot of really good things for the city,” said Safford.

He said there’s no estimate as to how much the new fees could generate but said a portion will definitely go towards addressing homelessness, however exact amounts aren’t yet clear. 

“My administration is very focused right now on working with the homeless situation and our expectation is that some of that money will be able to be used to help,” said Safford.

And that is welcomed news to Duane Vaughn, the executive director of Shelters of Saratoga. He said, without a doubt, they have seen an increase in housing needs year after year and don’t typically see much revenue from the racing season.

“I think it’s been dribs and drabs. We haven’t seen a lot of dedicated funding come to us and we do face some difficulties during racing seasons,” said Vaughn. 

Vaughn said during the racing season short-term housing dries up and there’s still a need for a permanent low-barrier homeless shelter. He is optimistic the new administration will help the community, as a whole.

“Homelessness is not a political issue, it’s a human issue,” said Vaughn. “Between our city government, our county government, our state government and the service providers – like S.O.S. – we’re gonna have a good solution to the end of this.”

Again, officials reminding residents to register their vehicles online, to avoid those fees. Up to five vehicles can be registered per permit.

Downtown business employee permits are obtained through a separate process.

The city will implement paid parking in its lots and garages starting June 10, going until Labor Day.