Unconventional College Sleeping Arrangements: California's New Bill for Homeless Students
Proposal Emerges in California to Permit Homeless Schoolchildren to Stay in Their Cars during Housing Shortage
Get ready for a radical shift in the dorm life of California community college and state university students! Thanks to a brand new bill, they might soon be able to catch some shut-eye in their very own cars.
That's right, you heard it here first. In the heart of the West Coast's housing crisis, a proposed legislation is stirring up a storm in the Golden State. If passed, it would grant homeless students temporary solace on their campuses - right in their cars.
But let's face it, California is no stranger to quirky policies. With homeownership rates at an all-time low and housing costs skyrocketing, it's no surprise that the state is embracing unconventional solutions to tackle the crisis.
According to a 2023 survey conducted by the Community College League of California, nearly three out of every five students are housing insecure, and a stunning one in four are homeless. This data solidifies the urgency for immediate action, as these students' education is being jeopardized due to their precarious living situations.
Enter Assemblymember Corey Jackson, a California Democrat with a doctorate in social work, who introduced the bill in March. The proposal requires chancellors of the California State universities and the governing board of each community college district to establish overnight parking programs with "basic needs coordinators and campus security" by December 2026.
"This bill confronts a harsh reality faced by many of our students who are sleeping in their vehicles or other displaced settings as they are unable to find affordable housing, and it's jeopardizing their education," Jackson stated. "What I am proposing is practical, immediate relief, overnight parking programs that turn campus lots into safe, temporary havens while the state works on lasting solutions."
While critics voice concerns about logistical challenges and funding, the bill has already passed the Assembly Higher Education Committee this year, with a second committee review on the horizon.
California's housing crisis has long been a weapon of choice for conservatives, who point their fingers at progressive policies for the state's woes. Hugh Hewitt, a regular contributor to our website, voiced his critique during a recent appearance on "America's Newsroom." He opined that the root of the problem lies in decades of "no-growth, left-wing policies that are anti-housing," and emphasized that the solution isn't "to create homeless encampments."
As the bill progresses, the nation watches with bated breath, debating the merits and drawbacks of this radical approach to housing insecurity on college campuses. The question remains: will California lead the way in unconventional solutions or set an alarming precedent that other states might follow?
Time will tell, but for now, California students can only cross their fingers, hoping that they'll soon have the opportunity to catch some Z's in their cars while they work towards their degrees.
[1] California Assembly Bill 90[2] Community College League of California[3] Public Policy Institute of California[4] Newsom Administration press release[5] California State University press release[6] our website's coverage on the bill[7] our website contributor Hugh Hewitt's commentary on the bill[8] Brendan Hartnett's commentary on the bill on X[9] Gavin Newsom's podcast featuring Trump allies and conservative guests[10] critical reactions to Democrats' new media strategy following the 2024 presidential election
- Despite conservative criticism suggesting that progressive policies are to blame for California's housing crisis, Assemblymember Corey Jackson, a Democrat, is proposing a solution to address homelessness among students by introducing AB 90, which would establish overnight parking programs on campuses by 2026.
- The Community College League of California's 2023 survey revealed that nearly three out of every five students are housing insecure, and one in four are homeless, demonstrating the urgent need for action to protect students' education from being jeopardized by their precarious living situations.
- As critics voice concerns about logistical challenges and funding, Assemblymember Jackson emphasizes that his proposal offers practical, immediate relief, turning campus lots into temporary havens for students while the state works on long-term solutions.
- The debate about the merits and drawbacks of this radical approach to housing insecurity continues, with the nation watching closely to see whether California will lead the way in unconventional solutions or set an alarming precedent for other states to follow.
