SD Unified Board of Education Approves License Agreement for Safe Parking at Central Elementary, Families of Students Given Priority
The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education Tuesday night approved a License Agreement with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) to operate a Safe Parking Lot on a portion of the former Central Elementary School site at 4063 Polk Avenue. The facility will provide a safe and secure overnight parking area for families experiencing homelessness who are living in their vehicles.
Under the agreement, San Diego Unified families will receive priority access to the site. Jewish Family Service of San Diego is expected to operate the program under contract with SDHC, with family referrals coordinated by the district’s Children and Youth in Transition program.
“This partnership is about compassion and responsibility,” said Board Vice President Richard Barrera. “By working together with Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, the San Diego Housing Commission and Jewish Family Service of San Diego, we’re ensuring that families in crisis, especially those with students in our schools, have a safe place to stay as they work toward stability.”
This collaboration reflects San Diego Unified’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable families by using district-owned properties in ways that benefit both students and the broader community.
“Research shows that Safe Parking programs help families stabilize, connect to vital supports, and transition more quickly into permanent housing,” said Board Trustee Shana Hazan. “Behind every data point is a child who deserves the safety, rest, and stability that make learning possible. Through this partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission, we’re transforming an unused district lot into a safe haven for families—and giving students the foundation they need to thrive in school and beyond.”
The License Agreement will be in effect from November 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026, and may be terminated earlier to allow for future redevelopment of the property. It’s expected that in one year, San Diego Unified will redevelop the land into affordable workforce housing to provide stable permanent housing for years to come.
“I know what it feels like to call a car home and not know whether the place I was parked was safe to sleep. No child should ever have to feel that way. Every child in San Diego deserves the safety and stability that come from having a secure place to rest at night. The Central Elementary Safe Parking site represents what we can achieve when we work together with compassion, creativity, and a shared commitment to dignity for every family. I’m grateful to San Diego Unified and the Housing Commission for their partnership in helping families in our community find stability and hope,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera.
“This Safe Parking program will provide some stability and crucial services to help unhoused families on their path to longer-term housing options,” SDHC Senior Vice President of Homelessness Housing Innovations Casey Snell said. “We thank Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera and the City Council, the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, and Jewish Family Service for their commitment to work with us to make this program possible. We look forward to presenting this program to the SDHC Board of Commissioners next week.”