San Bernardino County is set to receive a $38.7 million state grant for the Pacific Village Campus project, which expands the county’s residential treatment capacity for people experiencing homelessness.
Earlier this month, the county’s Behavioral Health Department received a conditional award letter from the state confirming the full amount officials had requested to fund the project.
“This investment is fundamental to fulfilling our mission and underscores our unwavering commitment to providing essential care and support to those who need it most,” Behavioral Health Director Georgina Yoshioka said in a statement. “We are here to serve, and this funding profoundly enhances our capacity to do just that.”
The state Department of Health Care Services awarded the grant for the project that includes input from the county Community Development and Housing Department. The Pacific Village Campus aims to provide a one-stop hub for housing assistance and services that include access to recuperative care, substance use disorder treatment and permanent supportive housing.
“By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders and integrating innovative treatment modalities, we believe this project will significantly improve outcomes for individuals facing behavioral health challenges.” Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that every member of our community has access to the care they need, and we see this project as a vital step toward achieving that goal.”
The funding is part of $3.3 billion via voter-approved Proposition 1 going to 124 cities and counties for projects that support behavioral health care and homelessness services statewide.
“Pacific Village is a strategic initiative of San Bernardino County aimed at developing a comprehensive continuum of care to support the county’s most vulnerable populations,” Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. said in a statement. “This grant will allow us to establish 32 much-needed residential treatment beds for individuals battling substance use disorders. This investment signifies our commitment to expanding access to quality care and supporting healthier, stronger communities for all.”
Supervisor Curt Hagman, who along with Baca served on the board’s Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness, said in a statement, “This grant represents a pivotal step forward in creating solutions for social service needs within our county and addressing critical issues.”
As part of this proposed expansion, Behavioral Health plans to establish two residential facilities providing treatment for substance use disorders, adding 32 beds to serve approximately 384 adults each year, including older adults, people with disabilities and county residents experiencing homelessness.
County officials said the state is modernizing the behavioral health system to improve accountability, bolster transparency and expand the capacity of behavioral health care facilities. The state Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program provides funding to create, renovate and expand facilities that serve individuals with mental and behavioral health conditions.
The funding aims “to help create a comprehensive behavioral health system, ensuring that individuals can access the proper care at the right time, whether for crisis stabilization, inpatient care or long-term treatment,” according to the county. “As part of the state’s goal to reduce mental health crises, increase the availability of services, and support community-based solutions, these investments are vital in ensuring the long-term sustainability and accessibility of behavioral health services.”
Since voters passed Proposition 1 in March 2024, additional behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built next year, officials said. Through BHCIP, the state awards funding to eligible entities to build, buy and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure in an effort to expand even more the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with chronic mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Officials estimated BHCIP funding will create 6,800 residential treatment beds and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots for behavioral health and will build on other behavioral health initiatives in the state.
More information is available on the BHCIP webpage and bit.ly/43fbaqp.
