Students in need of year-round, stable housing — rather than only during academic terms — face particular challenges when deciding which school to attend.
One mom who lived in her car for almost a year, through a school district safe parking program, now helps feed her neighbors still living in their cars.
Four months ago, Tami Rossell was living out of her van with her three youngest children and parking each night in city-designated safe parking zones. Today, she helps feed the homeless families who were once her neighbors in the lots.
All students experiencing homelessness are entitled to certain supports under federal law, and homeless liaisons are tasked with providing that support. But will there be enough funding to support each homeless child once they are identified?
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 27 into law recently after researchers estimated the number of homeless students in California has increased during the pandemic.
Long Beach City College has launched a safe overnight parking pilot program to provide homeless students with a safe place to park every night. The pilot includes security guards, access to showers and help finding more stable housing.
Schools and community-based organizations seeking to support students experiencing homelessness must step outside their silos, into students' lives and directly onto their public-school campuses.
