For a growing number of community college students in California, one of the biggest concerns isn’t exams or essays—it’s finding a safe place to sleep in their cars at night.
An estimated 20 percent of the state’s 2.1 million community college students have experienced homelessness or don’t have a stable place to live, according to a report released this month by California Community Colleges. Many of them rely on their vehicles for shelter.
“The most difficult thing about sleeping in your car is trying to find a place to park and sleep, and being able to sleep comfortably knowing that no one’s going to come by, that neighbors aren’t walking by saying, ‘Who’s sleeping out there?” said Brianna Rodriguez, a former student at East Los Angeles College who previously experienced homelessness.