‘Safe Sleep Lot’ offers first-of-its-kind designated parking lot for the homeless in Ohio

An Ohio community is experimenting with new ways to support families struggling with homelessness, as the Cincinnati Public Schools last week opened the first “Safe Sleep Lot” in the nation to be run and operated by a school district

An Ohio community is experimenting with new ways to support families struggling with homelessness, as the Cincinnati Public Schools last week opened the first “Safe Sleep Lot” in the nation to be run and operated by a school district.

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A Safe Sleep Lot is a designated overnight parking area where people experiencing homelessness can legally and safely stay in their vehicles without the risk of being forced out of commercial lots that prohibit overnight parking. These sites provide a temporary but stable option for individuals and families as they work toward permanent housing.

Rebeka Beach, the manager of Project Connect — Cincinnati’s program serving students experiencing homelessness — said the number of homeless students has increased since the Covid pandemic.