San Bernardino starts homeless outreach

The City of San Bernardino will begin outreach to homeless next week to connect them with available housing and other services.

The city created a new homeless outreach team as part of a comprehensive response taken by the Mayor and City Council following its declaration of a homeless state of emergency in February.

“As we promised, San Bernardino is taking action to address homelessness,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “In addition to the new Outreach Team, we are currently cleaning up encampments, cleaning up our parks, and adding shelter beds. Residents are noticing a difference already.”

In a contract awarded by the City Council on May 17, San Bernardino will partner with the Los Angeles County based Hope the Mission to provide a full-time team of eight skilled team members to work with San Bernardino Housing and Homeless staff five days a week. The outreach team will offer transportation services to individuals willing to seek shelter, access crisis centers, undergo rehabilitation, or to help reconnect with their families through reunification programs.

The outreach team will include a program manager, two peer specialists, two case managers, two counselors, and a data coordinator.

Beginning June 15, residents and businesses will be able to report issues or request assistance by calling (909) 936-3478 or by email at [email protected].