When staff at New Haven Unified School District began investigating why so many students had stopped coming to class, they realized that rent hikes had forced many families to live in their cars. So officials in the district, which is some 20 miles south of Oakland, helped set up a program to offer homeless families with children a place to park.

The program gives families safety and stability so that students can do homework and get to school on time. One mom who lived in her van for almost a year shares how this program helped her get back on her feet, and how she now helps feed her neighbors still living in their cars.

Guests:

Read more about Tami’s story: After living in her van in a city lot, she now feeds others who park there

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.