City, county do homeless outreach at San Bernardino park

Recent joint outreach efforts at Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino have housed a number of individuals and families, officials announced Wednesday.

Twelve individuals moved to temporary housing following the inaugural outreach event Sept. 16, according to a county statement. Willie, Dawn, Jamar and Naja were among those who became housed. The family became homeless as a result of waiting for Section 8 housing benefits to transfer to San Bernardino County from Washington state.

County agencies that attended Office of Homeless Services, sheriff’s department HOPE team, Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian and the Behavioral Health, Transitional Assistance and Probation departments, officials said. Nonprofit organizations Step Up on Second, Hope the Mission and Healthcare in Action also participated in the effort.

Outreach workers offered free housing options, health care services, substance addiction treatment, hygiene bags, food and other resources, officials said.

“We are proud to support the city’s efforts to help the unhoused community get back on their feet,” Office of Homeless Services Chief Marcus Dillard said in a statement. “Everyone we encountered was open to accepting services. We hope this is the beginning of a process that will lead to permanent housing.”

According to the county, homelessness at times results from varied factors such as sudden job loss, divorce or separation, substance use disorder, mental illness, domestic violence or a health ailment that impacts a person’s ability to work.

“The two biggest challenges facing the homeless community include lack of housing and limited income,” Deputy Mike Jones of the sheriff’s HOPE team said in a statement. “A lot of people collect social security income, but that no longer covers rent in California. Additionally, waiting for subsidized housing could take years.” 

Ashley Esquivel, the city’s homeless solutions manager, said in a statement, “The city of San Bernardino is deeply committed to addressing homelessness by providing housing, resources, access to healthcare and mental health support. We’re extremely grateful to have San Bernardino County as a partner to connect the unhoused to invaluable resources that will improve their lives.” 

A second outreach event at Perris Hill Park was on Oct. 22 with workers from OHS, DAAS-PG, TAD, Behavioral Health, Probation and Hope the Mission, according to the county.

The San Bernardino City Unified School District also joined the effort, providing case management services to youth experiencing homelessness, and the Way World Outreach offered transitional housing and support.

The Oct. 22 event led to five families moving into temporary housing, including a single mother of eight children, officials said.

City and county departments collaborate in doing surveys that aim to determine the needs of unhoused individuals. Following assessments, outreach workers offer case management services and work with people experiencing homelessness to develop a plan toward self-sufficiency.

“Homelessness is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach,” Dillard said. “At some point, families and individuals at Perris Hill Park have been connected to resources, whether that be permanent housing solutions or mental health services. Now our focus is on helping these individuals take the next step and move into permanent housing.”

The city will continue to do daily outreach events at Perris Hill Park with help from the county on select dates, officials said. For more information on OHS and the county’s Homeless Strategic Action Plan is at homelesstohome.sbcounty.gov.

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