Bill to Allow Homeless College Students Sleep in Cars on Campus Faces Increased Opposition

A bill that would allow college students to sleep in their car on campus faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks, with many California Community College and California State University (CSU) officials continuing to come out against it.

Assembly Bill 90, authored by Assemblyman Corey Jackson (D-Perris), would require the governing board of each community college district to adopt a plan to offer an overnight parking program to eligible students and would require the plan to be developed in consultation with basic needs coordinators and campus security. AB 90 would also require the plan to include, among other things, a procedure for issuing an overnight parking permit and would impose duties on basic needs coordinators related to the community college programs, including when acceptance of applications from eligible students would begin. In addition, the bill would require the governing board of each community college district, on or before December 31, 2026, to vote to establish an overnight parking program that aligns with the plan except, if the governing board does not vote to establish the program, the bill would require the governing board to annually vote on whether to establish an overnight program plan until it votes to establish the program.

California State University would have a similar plan as well, with the Chancellor of the California State University, in consultation with California State University student representatives, basic needs coordinators, and campus security, being required to establish and present to the Board of Trustees of the California State Trustees for adoption a policy for each campus to offer an overnight parking program for students. AB 90 would require the policy to include, among other things, a procedure for issuing an overnight parking permit. Upon adoption of the policy and an appropriation of funds by the Legislature, the bill would require the President of each campus to establish an overnight parking program that aligns with the adopted policy.

Demographic information of students using the service would also be gathered.

Assemblyman Jackson wrote the bill to address the growing number of homeless students on college and university campuses. According to the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council, homelessness affects roughly 12% of community college students and 9% of university students. Another study found that 1 in 5 community college students in California, as well as 1 in 10 CSU students and one in 20 University of California students experienced homelessness. As a result, many colleges have needed to deal with a large number of students living in cars around campus. Some, including as Long Beach City College, counted as many as 70 students at one time living in cars on campus, prompting the University to have a secured on-campus parking structure be designated for their use during nights to accommodate them.

Jackson stressed that this was only a last resort measure for students if there were no other options, like housing vouchers.

“This bill confronts a harsh reality,” said Jackson. “Many of our students who are sleeping in their vehicles or other displaced settings as they are unable to find affordable housing. And that’s jeopardizing their education. What I am proposing is practical and immediate relief overnight parking programs that turn campus parking lots into safe temporary havens while the state works on lasting solutions. Based upon best practices, that is practice in other settings all over in this state and nation. Under AB 90, we take a two pronged approach to this program.

“I think the idea is this. There is a continuously growing need to help our students who are homeless, to be stable in safe environments to continue their education journey. This is mean to be a last resort, when there is no access to vouchers or when there is no access to alternatives, which is of course stable and healthy shelter. However, the last thing that we want to do is have students worry throughout the day ‘where in the world am I going to sleep somewhere in the night’ when we want them to be safe.

“Now I know there might be differences in philosophy when it comes to this, but let me make it clear. I represent two community colleges in my district. And yes, they also oppose this bill. But I represent the people that community colleges are supposed to serve. I don’t represent institutions. So at the end of the day, we have a responsibility to do all that we can, including the work that we are all doing to try and provide another round of housing programs for community colleges so that they can create or build their own housing on the community college level.

“The idea is this. We are in a housing crisis. We are in a homelessness crisis. This is not an either/or approach. This is a both and all above approach.”

Jackson also elaborated on his bill in an interview with the Globe.

“While I do not have any plans for amendments or a sister bill related to subsidized or preferential reduced-price student housing or college-funded private housing on campuses, I remain committed to addressing the housing crisis faced by our students,” added Jackson. “That’s why I have championed an official budget letter requesting the inclusion of funding for student housing projects in the 2025 state budget. The letter highlights the critical need for more affordable housing, especially given the growing demand and the significant funding gap in current state programs. Investing in student housing is not only essential for student success but will also help build a stronger, more educated workforce for California’s future.”

However, there has been significant opposition coming from CSU and most California community colleges. Logistics issues have been a main concern, especially when it comes to freeing up lots and garages for the night and then getting them cleared in time by the morning for regular users to park. Another is cost, as security, maintenance and cleaning costs would rise significantly as a result. A massive state budget crisis causing CSU alone to lose $375 million a year in funding, or about 8% of total funding from the state, only casts more doubt on their ability to suddenly pay for an expensive new program.

“Establishing an overnight student parking program would require significant financial and administrative resources to ensure that students have a safe, clean and secure place to sleep at night,” explained Community College League of California policy manager Nune Garipian last month. “Our colleges, unfortunately, just do not have these resources available.”

Increased opposition in recent weeks has caused Jackson to offer waived liability and a delayal of implementation until funding can be given, yet colleges are deadset against it. An uncertain economy offers no guarantee on funding stability, with a large number of students sleeping in cars on campus only offering them more problems than benefits.

“They aren’t taking a very moral position,” said Jackson over the weekend. “It’s just a difference of opinion. I believe that we are in a housing crisis. We are in a homelessness crisis, and so every single agency needs to do their part to help with the issue.”

While the bill did pass the Assembly Higher Education Committee last week, it was a very divided vote, only passing 6-2 with 2 abstentions. And with more votes coming up soon, the steadfast opposition from CSU and most community colleges may only tip the scales only further against it. Last year a similar bill by Jackson, AB 1818, made it past the Assembly but failed in the Senate Appropriations Committee because of the cost. As California, CSU, and California community colleges face even bigger budget crunches this year, AB 90 will need to find more support soon to make it to the Governor’s desk for signing.