Cincinnati Public Schools opens Safe Sleep Lot to support families experiencing homelessness

Cincinnati Public Schools has opened a Safe Sleep Lot, designed to provide a secure, dignified space for families experiencing homelessness and to connect them to housing and support services.

The lot, operated through the district’s Project Connect program, is believed to be the first of its kind in Ohio and the first in the nation fully operated by a school district. It is intended to serve as a temporary bridge for families who are living in their vehicles and working toward stable housing.

The idea began about a year ago as District staff worked to address a growing challenge: families sleeping in cars while trying to maintain employment and keep children attending school. Those families often face delays accessing shelter services because they must first be verified as living in unsafe conditions, a process that can take time.

District leaders said the Safe Sleep Lot is designed to remove those barriers and provide immediate support.

“This lot is a bridge,” said Project Connect’s Manager, Rebeka Beach.“It is a bridge to emergency housing, to shelter placement and to long-term stability.”

The site offers a safe place to park overnight, along with access to restrooms, food and basic amenities. A kitchenette is stocked with meals through a partnership with the Freestore Foodbank. Families using the lot can be verified for housing assistance within 24 hours, helping speed access to shelter and other services.

The space also serves as a central hub connecting families to resources, including support through the district’s WRAP Center and other community partners.

District officials said the project was inspired in part by visits to similar programs in California. After researching those models, CPS staff developed a local plan and worked with community partners to secure funding and bring the project to life.

The effort received support from the Cincinnati Board of Education, District leadership and a range of donors and community organizations.

“This work reflects who we are as a District. When we say we are here for kids, we mean all kids,” said Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Shauna Murphy. “The Safe Sleep Lot is about meeting families where they are, removing barriers to learning and making sure every child has the support they need to succeed in school and in life.”

The initiative reflects a shared commitment to addressing the needs of students and families beyond the classroom.

“This is an example of what can happen when a community comes together to address a real problem,” said CPS Board President Brandon Craig. “The Board is proud to support innovative solutions like this that prioritize student well-being and connect families to the resources they need for long-term stability.”

Officials emphasized that, while the lot is not a permanent solution, it addresses an immediate need and helps families move toward stability.

“We know that sleeping in a vehicle is not a solution, but it is a reality for many families in our community,” Beach said.

Future plans for the site include adding a pergola for gathering space, expanding programming and strengthening partnerships to better serve families.

District leaders said the initiative reflects CPS’s broader commitment to supporting the whole child and removing barriers to learning.

“When children can sleep safely and come to school ready to learn, we are not just meeting basic needs,” Beach said. “We are changing the trajectory of their lives.”