This California College Lets Homeless Students Sleep Safely in Their Cars on Campus. Why Don't Other Schools Do It? | KQED

While the bill had garnered support from organizations like the California Faculty Association and the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, several community college districts and the California State University system opposed it. Some of their concerns include liability risk and cost. They also argue that providing secure overnight parking is not a permanent solution.

Justin Mendez, coordinator of Long Beach City College's Basic Needs Program, oversees the safe parking program and said those estimates sound high, although he acknowledges that costs will vary from campus to campus. Long Beach City College has been able to fund its program for less than the committee's estimated costs by working collaboratively with other departments and using existing contracts.

Letitia Clark, chief communications officer for the South Orange County Community College District, said the district has been investing in programs that support basic needs, including housing, as well as exploring building housing on campus as part of their facilities master plan. 'We don't want any mandates or anything that would take away from that, and especially with an alternative that we actually don't think is safe and really provides a good quality of life for our students.'

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