Homeless safe sleeping site coming to City Heights

Zoom in: The secured area will offer parking spaces for at least 40 families, with priority for those with students in the San Diego Unified School District.

• About 7,500 students in the district are experiencing homelessness, and the number is rising, state data shows.
• The site will also provide access to housing-related services, bathrooms, appliances to make meals and a place for students to play and do homework.

What they're saying: "Research shows that safe parking programs help families stabilize, connect to critical supports and transition more quickly into permanent housing," school board trustee Shana Hazan said at a press conference Wednesday.

• "But behind every data point is a child who deserves safety, rest and stability so that they can show up ready to learn," she said.

Driving the news: The San Diego Unified board approved a license agreement with the San Diego Housing Commission on Tuesday to operate a safe parking lot at the former school.

• Jewish Family Service, a nonprofit that manages several other safe sleeping sites in San Diego, is expected to run the program.

Between the lines: Bureaucratic and financial issues stalled the project for two years, Voice of San Diego reports.

• It's finally happening thanks to persistence from advocates, district leaders and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who helped secure $250,000 from the city.

What's next: The goal is to open up the site by Thanksgiving.