>>>THIS IS FOR FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE PERMANENT SHELTER.

PEOPLE LIKE LARRY YOUNG, RACHEL OLSON, AND THE DOGS, HAVE TO PICK UP AND MOVE.

>> EVERY OTHER DAY, THEY HAVE IT GOING.

IT'S REALLY HOT OUT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T MOVE THEIR STUFF.

THEY ARE HANDICAPPED.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE CLEANING CREWS, THEY HAVE SEEPED OUT.

WE FOUND A HOMELESS ADVOCATE, HANDING OUT WATER, JUICE, AND FOOD.

HE SAYS IT'S FINE FOR THE CITY TO CLEAN UP TRASH.

>> THE FACT THAT THEY MAKE PEOPLE MOVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEAT WAVE, IS RIDICULOUS.

IT'S DANGEROUS AND COOL.

>> MAYOR GLORIA REJECTS THE CRITICISM.

PEOPLE ON SIDEWALKS OR BLOCKING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY IS DOING MORE THAN EVER BEFORE TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.

>> WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN THE LAST YEAR, THEY HAVE CONCENTRATED EFFORTS.

IT'S OVER 1700 SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS, THAT NEED SHELTER.

THIS RESULTS IN HOUSING PLACEMENTS.

THEY PLACE THEM INTO PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

>> THE CONCENTRATED EFFORTS THAT THE MAYOR IS TALKING ABOUT ARE THE ONE-STOP SHOPPING EVENTS.

PEOPLE GET CONNECTED WITH A VARIETY OF SERVICES, WITH A GOAL OF GETTING THEM INTO PERFECT HOUSING.

PERMANENT HOUSING IS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST TRUST IN THE SYSTEM.

THEY OFTEN DECLINE OFFERS A SHELTER.

ON THIS DAY, THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE REMINDING PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE DOZENS OF COOLING CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTY, WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

BACK OUT ON THE STREET, MICHAEL McCONNELL, SEES WHAT HE SEES AS A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

>> I WANT A PLACE FOR THEM TO MOVE.

I WANT SAFE SHELTERS.

I WANT APPROPRIATE PLACES.

MOST OF ALL, I WANT HOUSING.

IT >> THAT IS SOMETHING EVERYONE AGREES ON.

IT'S HOW WE GET THERE.

IN THE CITY WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST HOUSING PRICES IN THE NATION.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LOCAL SCHOOLS HAVE THEIR OWN CHALLENGES.

THEY ARE DISMISSING CLASSES EARLY AND FINDING WORKAROUNDS.

THEY SHOW US THE ISSUES THAT POPPED UP DURING SAN DIEGO'S HEAT WAVE.

>> RAINING SUNSHINE, AND SIZZLING TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THIS IS A GRUELING DAY AT MANY SCHOOLS.

NEAR DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, THE AIR-CONDITIONING IS BACK ON AFTER A BRIEF BREAKDOWN LAST WEEK.

PARENTS, TRYING TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN SAFE THE BEST WAY THEY CAN.

IT >> IT'S HARD TO SEE THE TEMPERATURES IN THE CLASSROOM RIGHT NOW.

LOTS OF PEOPLE.

IT MAKES IT FEEL MORE HOT.

IT >> SHERMAN ELEMENTARY IN THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT HAS BEEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN MOST IN KEEPING KIDS COOL.

THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS THINKING ABOUT AIR CONDITIONING WELL BEFORE THE LATEST HEAT WAVE.

BACK IN 2015, THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED THE MASTER PLAN TO INSTALL AC IN EVERY CLASSROOM.

PAID FOR WITH BOND MONEY.

>> THAT PLAN WORK FOR THE MOST PART, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH DID NOT GET AIR CONDITIONING BECAUSE IT WAS TIED UP IN A DISPUTE THAT THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO HAD OVER ANOTHER LONG- TERM LEASE.

GOT FIGURED OUT.

RENOVATIONS ARE UNDERWAY.

THEY ARE GRADUALLY BEING INSTALLED.

IT'S A BIG CAMPUS.

>> IMAGINE GOING TO ANOTHER CLASS.

WE WENT TO MY CLASS.

I'M ALWAYS THIRSTY AND SWEATING.

NO HEIR.

IT'S REALLY HARD.

IT >> THE CONTRACTOR DOING RENOVATIONS HAS PROVIDED PORTABLE AC UNITS.

THE DISTRICT 20 ADDITIONAL UNITS TO OTHER SCHOOLS WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT.

>> THEY HAD TO PRIORITIZE THESE.

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON HOW MANY FOLKS ARE IMPACTED BY THE OUTAGE.

IF AN ENTIRE SCHOOL GOES DOWN, THAT'S PRIORITIZE OVER A SCHOOL THAT POTENTIALLY LOST AIR CONDITIONING AND BUILDUPS.

THIS WAS PART OF BERNARDO HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE NO CONSISTENT AIR CONDITIONING.

STUDENTS ARE BEING RELEASED EARLY AS WELL.

PARENTS HAVE BEEN PROMISED.

THEY ARE WORKING TO FIX THE ONGOING PROGRAM.

THEY ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION AND OFFERING SUPPORT AS THEY CAN.

>> THEY ARE CONNECTING OUR SCHOOL LEADERS WITH PEOPLE FROM FIRE, AND AGENCIES LIKE PUBLIC HEALTH.

THIS IS ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE.

>> THE HEAT IS ON.

SO ARE THE SOLUTIONS TO DEAL WITH IT.

KPBS NEWS.

>> ONE THING DURING THE HEAT WAVE, IT'S THE LACK OF SHADE IN MANY LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

KPBS COUNTY REPORTER, SHOWS US WHAT'S GOING ON IN VISTA, TO BOOST THE NUMBER OF TREES IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THEY DIDN'T GET ANY RAIN TODAY.

THEY DID GET A SHIPMENT OF NEW TREES.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE TREE CANOPY IN THESE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE EXISTING IRRIGATION, OR THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THE TREES LONG-TERM.

THOSE ARE HIGH PROBABILITY AREAS.

PARKS LIKE THIS LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF SHADE.

THEY ARE HIGH PRIORITY AREAS TO GO IN AS WELL.

>> Reporter: LYNETTE SHORT, SAYS THAT THEY PLAN TO PLANT 2000 TREES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> YOU SEE ALL THE COMMOTION.

BEAUTIFUL COMMOTION.

WE HAVE TREES.

>> Reporter: COUNCILMEMBER, JOINED THE CORE MEMBERS IN GETTING TREES IN THE GROUND.

>> THIS AREA IN VISTA, DESPERATELY NEEDS TREES.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH A HEAT WAVE MOVING FORWARD.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET HOTTER.

WHAT TREES DO, NOT ONLY DO THEY PROVIDE A BEAUTIFUL SCENE FOR EVERYBODY TO ENJOY, BUT THEY PROVIDE SHADE.

>> Reporter: THERE WILL BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE TREES PROVIDE SHADE.

THEY SAY THEY WILL HELP THE URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE MORE GREEN SPACE TO ENJOY.

>> EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY, THERE IS PAVEMENT AND CONCRETE.

EVEN ASPHALT.

VERY FEW ARE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES.

THAT HEAT RADIATES UP.

WHEN IT'S 100 DEGREES, WHEN WE HAVE NO TREES, IT ACTUALLY FEELS HOTTER.

BEING ABLE TO PLANT MORE TREES WHERE PEOPLE CONGREGATE, WHERE THEY CAN ENJOY THE PARK, UNDER THE SHADE, IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

>> SHE HOPES THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A LOT MORE TREES GETTING PLANTED IN THE CITY.

>> WE HAVE TO MOVE THIS TO NORTH SANTA FE.

THE TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WALKING, BIKING, AND TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION EVERY DAY.

THERE IS VERY LITTLE SHADE.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH, THEY SIGNED THE REQUIREMENT THAT HAD THE PROTECTION TO COMPLETE A STATEWIDE PLAN TO INCREASE TREE CANOPY COVER IN URBAN AREAS BY 10%.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS UNTIL 2025 TO SUBMIT A PLAN TO THE LEGISLATURE.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> CALIFORNIA WANTS TO GET MORE ELECTRIC BIKES ON THE ROAD WITH A NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

THE RAIN WE ARE SEEING THIS WEEKEND IS FROM THE REMNANTS OF A HURRICANE.

AND HOW THE HEAT WAVE MAY HAVE HELPED BRING IT HERE.

SAN DIEGO'S LARGEST PONZI SCHEME, HEAR FROM THE REPORTER BIND THE UNIONS LATEST SERIES ON THE FRAUD FROM THE CHAMPION CAMPAIGN.

>>> QUITE TO US THIS WEEK, MAYBE HAVE HAD THEIR WORST CORRUPTION CASE.

A SENATOR IS ON THE RUN.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER, STEVE WALSH, TELLS US HOW LEONARD WAS ABLE TO SLIP AWAY.

>> Reporter: LEONARD FRANCIS PLEADED TO DEFRAUDING THE NAVY IN 2015.

HE WAS AT THE HEART OF A CORRUPTION PROGRAM THAT HAD NEARLY 30 NAVAL OFFICIALS.

HE WAS AWAITING SENTENCING WHEN THE U.S.

MARSHALS WERE NOTIFIED SUNDAY THAT HE HAD CUT HIS ANKLE MONITOR.

OMAR CASTILLO, THE DEPUTY SUPERVISOR FOR THE U.S.

MARSHALS SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA.

>> WE WENT TO THE HOUSE THAT AFTERNOON.

WE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR.

NO ANSWER.

LOOK INTO THE WINDOWS.

IT LOOKS PRETTY VACANT.

WE FOUND AN UNLOCKED DOOR.

THEY WENT IN.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE FEW TIES TO THE UNITED STATES.

HIS BUSINESS WAS BASED IN SINGAPORE.

HE LIVES WITH THREE OF HIS CHILDREN THAT WERE FILIPINO.

THEY TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT THEY HAD U-HAUL TRUCKS PARKED OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE BEFORE THEY LEFT.

>> KNOWING THAT THE HOUSE IS EMPTY, HE HAS HAD SOME TIME TO PLAN THIS OUT.

WE ARE DEFINITELY LEANING TOWARDS HIM ON THE INTERNATIONAL SIDE.

WE ARE BASICALLY PURSUING SOME OF THOSE.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY, SAYS THEY MAKE IT EVEN LESS LIKELY THAT THEY LEARN THE LESSON FROM THE CORRUPTION SCANDALS IN NAVY'S HISTORY.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO VIEW THIS DRAMATIC TURN IN THE CASE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THE BOOK ON IT.

THERE'S ALREADY A LACK OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS CASE.

THIS IS OFFICIAL FOR WASHINGTON AS IT IS.

>> THEY ARE SCHEDULED IN THE COMING WEEKS.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A WARNING.

THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS.

A NURSING HOME HAS SUCH A LONG RECORD OF CARE AND ABUSE.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS MOVED TO DECERTIFY IN APRIL.

THE SHOCK OF ADVOCATES.

IN A TWO PART SERIES, THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER EXAMINES THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE NURSING HOME.

WHY IT REMAINS OPEN.

>> Reporter: AT 2:00 A.M., A QUARTER TO WOMAN SLEPT IN A CHAIR COVERED BY A SHEET COVERED BY THE NURSING HOME.

A MAN, STOOD OVER HER WITH HIS HANDS UNDER THAT SHEET.

THE INCIDENT IS ONE OF THREE SEXUAL ASSAULTS OF THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SUBSTANTIATED.

256 BED FACILITY WAS THERE SO FAR THIS YEAR.

SINCE 2019, STATE RECORDS REVEAL 628 OVERALL COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST AVOCADO.

THAT'S FOUR TIMES THE STATE AVERAGE FOR FACILITIES WITH AT LEAST 100 BEDS.

>> IT'S NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR THE RESIDENTS TO BE.

THEY HAVE THE ADVOCATES FOR THE REFORM.

HE'S FAMILIAR WITH THE STATES INVESTIGATIONS INTO THAT.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE A DANGEROUS NURSING HOME.

ONE THAT I WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO SEND ANYBODY.

LET ALONE FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> WE HAVE EGREGIOUS EXAMPLES TAKEN FROM STATE REGULATOR REPORTS WITH SUPPORT FROM POLICE INVESTIGATIONS.

90-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS ASSAULTED BY THE ROOMMATES.

HE LATER DIED.

71-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY A CAREGIVER DURING A DIAPER CHANGE.

THEY HAD A STRICT SWALLOWING FOR TOXINS, CHOKED TO DEATH.

SHE WAS LEFT TO EAT HER LUNCH ALONE.

THE CAREGIVER ALLEGEDLY SLAMMED A RESIDENT INTO A WALL.

>> IS QUITE STRAIGHTFORWARD.

AN ATTORNEY WAS SUING FOR NEGLIGENT CARE.

HE'S DISCUSSING THE STATE REGULATOR FINDINGS.

>> THEY ARE UNWILLING, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL AND QUALITY OF CARE THAT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID DEMAND.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE MEDICAID SERVICES CENTER, AND THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THE HOMES, SEEMED TO AGREE.

THE AGENCY STATED IN APRIL THAT IT WAS TERMINATING THE CONTRACT WITH CMS TO OPERATE AS A SKILLED NURSING HOME.

THEY WERE CITING THE FAILURE TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION.

WEEKS LATER, CMS REVERSED COURSE.

THE RESCINDED PLANS TO DECERTIFY HIM.

APRIL SPOKESPERSON SAYS THAT THE DETERMINATION ORDER WAS PULLED.

THIS WAS BECAUSE HE HAD QUOTE, RETURNED TO SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE MEDICARE REQUIREMENTS.

YET, JUST TWO MONTHS AFTER REGULATORS CANCELED THE DECERTIFICATION, STATE INVESTIGATORS FOUND 13 FEDERAL DEFICIENCIES.

WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE NEW FINDINGS, THE SPOKESPERSON AGAIN TOLD KPBS, THAT THEY RETURNED TO SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE IN JULY.

THEY DID NOT RESPONDED TO MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

ALL SINCE APRIL.

STATE OFFICIALS HAD AN ABUSE OF RESIDENCE.

THEY SAID THAT KEEPING THEM OPEN, ILLUSTRATES HOW REGULATORS WENT TO THEIR DUTY TO PROTECT RESIDENTS IN FAVOR OF SHIELDING FOR-PROFIT NURSING HOMES.

>> THEY HAVE A GREAT NAME ON PAPER.

IT MIGHT BE GOOD.

WE DON'T ENFORCE THEM.

OVER TIME, IT BECOMES MEANINGLESS.

>> AS THEY RACKED UP COMPLAINTS OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE PROFITS GREW 72% FROM 3.2 MILLION IN 2017 TO 5.5 MILLION IN 2020.

ACCORDING TO FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES.

>> THAT'S IN FANTASTIC REVENUES.

>> THEY HAVE EXPERTS ON SENIOR CARE FINANCES.

HE SAYS THAT GIVEN HIS COMPLIANCE RECORD, IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO HAVE A THIRD PARTY MONITOR.

>> IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, WE ARE FINDING THIS SUBSTANTIAL.

SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS, AND A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE.

SHARING A ROOM WITH ANOTHER RESIDENT.

THE RESULT WAS DEADLY.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THEY HAVE A STANDARD CARE FOR THEIR RESIDENCE.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY DON'T EXIST.

IN THE CONTINUING COVERAGE, THE CALIFORNIA ADVOCATES FOR THE NURSING REFORM, DETAILS WHAT YOU CAN LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A NURSING >>> A NEW CALIFORNIA LAW TO APPROVE THE SITUATIONS WITH FAST FOOD WORKERS.

>> Reporter: -- WOULDN'T GIVE HER A 10 MINUTE BREAK.

CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO GIVE THEIR HOURLY WORKERS ONE 10 MINUTE BREAK FOR EVERY FOUR HOURS OF WORK.

-- AS AN IMMIGRANT.

THIS IS HER FIRST JOB IN THE U.S. SHE SAYS SHE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE BREAK REQUIREMENT.

SHE ALSO SAYS THERE WERE UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS AT THE KFC KITCHEN.

THE NEW LAW IS DESIGNED TO GIVE WORKERS A LOUDER VOICE ON ISSUES RANGING FROM WAGE THEFT TO WORKPLACE SAFETY.

IT ESTABLISHES A STATEWIDE COUNSEL OF WORKERS, EMPLOYERS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHERE THEY CAN COME TO THE TABLE AND NEGOTIATE STANDARDS.

THE BILL WILL EMPOWER CALIFORNIA FAST FOOD WORKERS.

TO MAKE A BILL THAT EMPOWERS OUR WORKERS IN THAT SECTOR, GIVING THEM MORE BOYS, GIVING THEM MORE CHOICE.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR ALSO MENTIONED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SIGNING THE BILL DURING THE HOLIDAY.

>> I AM PROUD ON LABOR DAY TO SIGN THAT BILL.

>> Reporter: CRITICS OF THE BILL SAY IT WILL MAKE FAST FOOD MORE EXPENSIVE FOR CONSUMERS.

DURING LUNCH ON LABOR DAY SAN DIEGANS VISITING RESTAURANT SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF PAYING WORKERS MORE MONEY.

EVEN IF IT MEANS THE PRICE OF A CHEESEBURGER MAY GO UP.

ANDREA VARGAS IS FROM NATIONAL CITY.

>> I DON'T CONSIDER FAST FOOD A NECESSITY.

THEY WOULD BE BETTER BUYING ACTUAL GROCERIES.

>> MY SISTER WORKS AT A TRIPLE DAY.

THE INDUSTRY IS KIND OF LOW.

THEY DO DESERVE AT LEAST A COUPLE DOLLARS MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE.

I THINK WAGES SHOULD INCREASE FOR FAST FOOD WORKERS.

>> Reporter: -- INTRODUCED THE BILL IN JANUARY OF 2021 WHEN SHE WAS STILL IN THE ESTATE SIMILE.

SHE SEES THIS AS A MODEL THAT COULD BE APPLIED TO OTHER INDUSTRIES.

>> I THINK IT IS EXCITING.

IT IS A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF BARGAINING.

IT IS A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF COMING UP WITH REGULATIONS.

I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD TAKE OFF FOR NOT JUST FAST FOOD WORKERS BUT OTHER INDUSTRIES.

>> Reporter: THIS COULD LEAD TO HIGHER WAGES AND MORE JOB STABILITY.

SHE SAYS THE NEW LAW IS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE IT RECOGNIZES HER VALUE AS A WORKER AND AS A HUMAN BEING.

IT WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st, 2023.

>> Reporter: NEW S DST HAS STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE STUDENT HOUSING.

ANDREW BOWEN VISITED THE LARGEST UNIVERSITY IN SAN DIEGO TO SEE HOW IT IS TRYING TO MEET THE GROWING NEED.

>> Reporter: THE TWO NEW DORM BUILDINGS, 22 AND 23 STORIES HIGH, WILL BE SET ASIDE FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS AND OTHER UPPERCLASSMEN.

STIFF COMPETITION TRYING TO GET ON CAMPUS HOUSING.

THE PROJECT IS GOING UP RIGHT NEXT TO THE BLUE LINE TROLLEY STOP.

THERE ARE EVEN MORE DORMS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS.

THE UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR SAID HOUSING COSTS WITH HER ON CAMPUS OR OFF OR A MAJOR BURDEN ON STUDENTS.

>> IN SAN DIEGO THERE IS ALREADY A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING.

I THINK AS A CAMPUS WE NEED TO USE THE LAND THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US BY THE COMMUNITY EFFECTIVELY TO BUILD HOUSING FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS BENEFITING FROM A $100 MILLION GRANT FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL HELP KEEP RENT AFFORDABLE FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER CHRIS WOOD SAID IT IS PART OF A NEW GRANT PROGRAM THAT WILL SUPPORT MORE STUDENT HOUSING AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> BECAUSE WE ARE SO READY AND THE VISION IS THERE, UC SAN DIEGO TO FARE VERY WELL.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR UCSD REDUCED ITS DORM CAPACITY IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19.

THAT MEANT SOPHOMORES WERE NO LONGER GUARANTEED ON-CAMPUS HOUSING.

THE UNIVERSITY BROUGHT BACK IT'S TO YOUR HOUSE AND GUARANTEE LAST MONTH.

IT'S A LONGER-TERM GOAL IS TO GUARANTEE HOUSING FOR FOUR YEARS.

THE DORM PROJECT CALLED THE PEPPER CANYON WEST LIVING AND LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD WILL OPEN TO STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 2024.

>>> WE ARE A FEW WEEKS INTO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH STUDENTS ADJUSTING TO BEING BACK ON CAMPUS.

THE CHALLENGE IS EVEN GREATER FOR KIDS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

MG PEREZ SHOWS US HOW THE SPECIAL NEEDS ARE BEING MET AND CELEBRATED.

>> FIND A BUTTON IN FRONT OF YOU.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS.

>> WE USE THE BACK OF THE HAND.

>> Reporter: 15-YEAR-OLD GRACE IS FEELING HER WAY ACROSS -- LISTENING TO TRAFFIC ALL AROUND HER.

>> GRACE HAS BEEN BLIND SINCE BIRTH BECAUSE OF AN UNDERDEVELOPED OPTIC NERVE THAT CANNOT CARRY MESSAGES FROM HER EYES TO HER BRAIN.

>> IT IS SCARY BECAUSE THERE ARE LITERAL CARS.

AFTER DOING IT FOR A FEW YEARS IT GETS EASIER.

JUST BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING I DO EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: THIS ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPECIALIST WORKS WITH FIVE OR SIX VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS EVERY DAY FROM CORONADO TO -- TEACHING THEM LIFE SKILLS IN HELPING WITH ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THEIR SCHOOL WORK.

>> IT IS NOT ABOUT FAILURE OR MY EXPECTATIONS.

IT IS ABOUT THEM REACHING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE THEY CAN AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO DO IT SAFELY.

>> REPORTER:'S WORK WITH GRACE SINCE SHE WAS IN SECOND GRADE.

SHE IS NOW A FRESHMAN AT CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL.

ALREADY ENROLLED IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE ALONG WITH MATH AND ENGLISH CLASSES.

GRACE IS GROWING UP WITH HER OTHER SENSES SHARPENED.

THERE WAS ONLY A LITTLE INTEREST IN WHAT SHE MIGHT NEVER SEE.

>> PROBABLY JUST MY FAMILY.

I HAVE HEARD STARS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

I WOULD WANT TO SEE THE MIGHT SKY.

BUT I DO NOT REALLY WANT THAT SINCE.

I WOULD HAVE TO RELEARN EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: -- HAS MORE THAN 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE.

THAT INCLUDES TIME AS AN EMT, SECURITY OFFICER, A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER WITH A MASTERS DEGREE.

HE ALSO HAS A BLACK BELT IN JUJITSU AND HE IS VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

>> AT 24 YEARS OLD I HAD AN INJURY TO MY LEFT EYE.

I LOST THE MAJORITY OF MY VISION AND I NEVER GOT IT BACK.

>> THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SAFE CHOICES, STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, THE PATIENT AND BE ABLE TO FIND THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF INDEPENDENCE THAT THEY CAN.

AT THIS MIDDLE SCHOOL THERE IS ANOTHER STUDENT SUCCESS AND 12- YEAR-OLD -- ALSO BLIND SINCE BIRTH WITH PROSTHETICS FOR BOTH HIS EYES.

HAS NO -- ONLY COMPLETE DARK.

IT HAS NOT STOPPED HIM FROM DREAMS OF SOMEDAY PLAYING PROFESSIONAL., FOOTBALL.

WHEN I THROW A BALL SOMEONE MAKES NOISE.

THEY CLAP OR SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: DIEGO IS SUPPORTED.

TONYA GONZALES IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE TEAM.

SHE TEACHES BLIND STUDENTS HOW TO READ BRAILLE AND HOW TO TYPE IT FOR CLASS ASSIGNMENTS.

GONZALES IS A PERSON WHO CAN SEE AND SHE SAYS SHE HAS BEEN EDUCATED BY SO MANY OF HER STUDENTS WHO CANNOT.

>> MY STUDENTS CAN GENERALLY TELL IF A PERSON IS KIND AND GOODHEARTED.

NOT BECAUSE THE WAY THEY LOOK BUT BECAUSE THE WAY THEY ARE INTERACTING.

IT TAUGHT ME TO JUST BE OPEN- MINDED, TO BE PATIENT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE IGNORANT CITED WORLD.

>> Reporter: THE IGNORANCE IS SOMETHING HER STUDENT, DIEGO OFTEN DEALS WITH.

>> EVERYTHING IN HIS WORLD IS AUDIO AND TACTILE.

HE HAS TO HAVE A REALLY PHENOMENAL MEMORY.

LUCKILY HE HAS A PHENOMENAL ATTITUDE.

>> Reporter: DIEGO'S PERSEVERANCE SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL THE OTHER VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY LIKE HIM.

WHO JUST WANT SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS.

>> TREAT THEM NORMAL.

TREAT THEM THE WAY NORMAL PEOPLE ARE TREATED.

>> Reporter: GRACE IS READY FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR.

AND JIM WILL BE THERE TO CHEER THEM BOTH ON.

>> THEY DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE THAT WE MIGHT SKIP OVER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A LESSON FOR ALL OF US THAT IS CLEAR TO SEE.

>>> THAT STORY AND ALL OF OUR CONTENT CAN BE FOUND ON THE CAPE UPS YOU TO PAY.

WE HAVE EPISODES OF CROSSING SOUTH AT ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

YOU CAN ALSO LIFESTREAM KPBS WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED KPBS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.