County to spend $72 million to address homelessness

Last week the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted to spend $72.7 million in federal, state and county resources to support the 2022 Homeless Strategic Action Plan approved by the board last June.

“Addressing the root causes of homelessness is the most effective means of reducing the numbers of people experiencing homelessness and providing a path forward for the individuals and the community at large,” said Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman. “As a board, we are leveraging all of the resources at our disposal and thinking outside the box by linking housing and other services to give people who are struggling a foundation of stability. This approach enables people to break through the challenges they are facing and get back on their feet and off the streets.”

The Homeless Initiatives Spending Plan approved by the Board of Supervisors includes $15 million from the County general fund for a new County Housing Development Grant to support community-based homeless housing projects.

The spending plan includes:

• The Pacific Village Phase II expansion ($29.7 million)
• The Kern Street Adult Residential Facility expansion ($2.5 million)
• The Project Roomkey Continuance initiative ($4.4 million)
• The Social Work Action Group, or SWAG ($3.4 million)

The County is also exploring the creation of a $20 million grant program that can be offered to third parties (primarily partner cities) to support homeless housing projects, with a focus on the construction of new units, that provide additional housing beds (which may include emergency shelters). This program is in the conceptual stage and specific program details and budget adjustments will be brought forward for board approval at a future date.