San Bernardino County workers cleared several-dozen encampments Wednesday in Bloomington and Fontana, officials announced.
The one-day cleanup and outreach effort by multiple county agencies resulted in 37 encampment sites addressed, 58 individuals contacted, 16 service referrals made, one vehicle towed, one arrest and about 8.25 tons of debris and waste materials removed, according to a county statement.
Officials said the operation aimed to address public health and safety concerns while offering compassionate outreach to county residents experiencing homelessness. Sheriff’s deputies accompanied county workers from the Code Enforcement, Public Works and Homeless Services agencies in Bloomington and unincorporated areas adjacent to Fontana.
“We are addressing homelessness and creating safe, healthy spaces for everyone,” Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said in a statement. “By combining enforcement with outreach, we ensure that every resident, housed or unhoused, is treated with dignity and respect.”
The encampment clearing and outreach work was a response to numerous reports from community members regarding unsafe conditions and environmental health concerns connected with local encampments, officials said.
“Homelessness is not an issue any one city or agency can solve alone — it requires a regional, united effort,” 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., who represents Bloomington, said in a statement. “Together, we’re taking meaningful steps to provide compassionate outreach and restore safety in our communities.”
District 2 Supervisor Jess Armendarez, who represents Fontana, noted the county’s “holistic approach” to addressing homelessness.
“We’ve taken a holistic approach to homelessness by addressing both immediate needs and root causes,” Armendarez said in a statement.
He listed county initiatives including Citylink’s wraparound service facility and food warehouse, The PATH’s conversion of a motel into a resource and care center to provide housing for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and support for drug and alcohol treatment programs at Cedar House.
“We’ve created hundreds of new beds and resources that give people a path off the streets,” Armendarez added. “Tackling homelessness isn’t just about shelter, it’s about stopping the bleeding by providing housing, treatment, and hope for a better future.”
The Bloomington-Fontana operation Wednesday included enforcement of county ordinances and state laws prohibiting camping in certain public places. Officials said the operation’s goal also extended beyond law enforcement by connecting individuals with supportive services and restoring safety and sanitary conditions to public areas.
“Our focus is public safety and compassionate outreach,” Code Enforcement Chief Ignacio Nunez, whose department led the operation, said in a statement. “We are committed to maintaining healthy, safe neighborhoods while ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness are given opportunities to connect with supportive services and housing resources.”
Office of Homeless Services Chief Marcus Dillard said county officials “understand the challenges people in these encampments face. Our mission is to provide them with real options and support. Every engagement is an opportunity to help someone take a step towards rebuilding their lives,” he said in a statement.
Sheriff’s officials emphasized the operation’s public safety component. Some encampments were associated with illegal dumping, vehicle code infractions and criminal activity, they said.
“Our deputies are committed to ensuring that these areas remain safe for residents while also supporting efforts to connect unhoused individuals with the services they need,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement.
During days leading up to the operation, outreach workers informed people living in known encampments of available services and the upcoming cleanup, according to the county. On the day of the operation, Homeless Services personnel operated a mobile outreach site in the area to offer immediate access to shelters, behavioral health services and other key resources.
Public Works provided heavy equipment and workers to remove debris and waste to restore impacted areas.
Sheriff’s deputies investigated possible criminal activity, towed unregistered or inoperable vehicles and worked to maintain public safety throughout the cleanup effort.
Officials said similar future multi-agency enforcement operations will continue as part of a broader effort to restore public areas impacted by encampments while addressing regional homelessness.
Board expands housing services for former foster youth
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved amendments to two contracts expanding Transitional Housing Program-Plus services for young adults formerly in foster care.
In a 5-0 vote without discussion, the board OK’d a $400,000 increase to a contract with Aspiranet, bringing the total to $6.4 million with an extension through Feb. 28.
The board also approved another $400,000 for Walden Family Services through Feb. 28 totaling $1.9 million.
THP-Plus provides young people ages 18 to 24 with housing assistance, 24-hour crisis intervention, educational and employment support, life skills training and mentoring, according to a county staff report.
“Services are delivered through both scattered-site apartments and host family housing models across the county,” the county reported.
The funding aims to sustain access to safe, stable housing and supportive services for youth transitioning to independent adulthood, officials said. The $800,000 total funding increase will be covered using existing local resources with no impact on discretionary general funding.
It was unclear the number of foster youth assisted through the transitional housing program.
“The Host Family Model allows young adults to live in a family setting with a relative, current foster family, or other consistent caring adults,” according to a report by Children and Family Services Department Director Jeany Glasgow.
The THP-Plus initiative started in 2020.
