A $3 million grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is helping to advance enhancements at the Pacific Village housing campus that use innovative designs to transform both indoor and outdoor spaces into environments that are consistent with the region’s Indigenous heritage to foster healing, wellness and socializing, San Bernardino County officials announced Tuesday.
In June, construction began on Phase II of Pacific Village in Highland at 2626 Pacific St. The $75 million project’s second phase will expand the facility into a wellness‑centered environment that will provide much-needed housing, medical treatment and “wraparound services” that may include case management, mental health counseling, educational support, housing assistance and life skills training “for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents,” according to the announcement of the Yuhaaviatam grant.
Phase 2 upgrades include 58 permanent supportive housing units, with 30 for very low‑income older adults. The second phase also calls for 32 recuperative care beds for individuals leaving hospitals, a 16-bed substance use disorder facility and the continuation of eight interim housing units from phase 1.
“We are grateful to Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation for their generous support of this vital project,” county Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said in a statement. “This critical funding will assist us in creating a supportive and healing environment so our residents can get the care they need to thrive and maintain long-term stability.”
The Pacific Village enhancements will include outdoor gathering areas, adding furniture and home decor items to housing units and the Recuperative Care Center as well as building a multi-use pavilion with shaded seating and flexible space for group therapy, cultural programming and recreation, according to the county. The grant funds also will be utilized to install healing gardens with shaded seating and rest areas, covered pedestrian pathways and a mapping system for the entire facility.
Officials said the planned upgrades are intended to promote social connection, support physical healing and mental health, improve comfort and quality of life, make it easier and safer to get around the campus, provide “adaptable spaces” for programs and activities while supporting residents’ long-term recovery. Planning for these upgrades is currently underway.
“Pacific Village is a transformative space that represents the resilience of our greater community,” Lynn Valbuena, chairwoman of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, said in a statement “Lasting wellness of our community is a collaborative initiative. We honor our Maara’yam traditions by supporting this powerful project that will help residents find pathways to recovery.”
The initial phase of Pacific Village completed in March 2021 with the construction of eight interim housing units with on‑site case management and behavioral health support.
Since opening, the campus has served hundreds of people, reducing hospital readmissions and improving overall health, according to the county. Officials noted the facility’s organization model “has strengthened financial stability by securing multi-source funding including Medi‑Cal reimbursements, state and federal grants and philanthropic contributions.”
When all phases are complete, Pacific Village will include 66 permanent and interim housing units, 32 recuperative care beds and 32 beds for substance abuse treatment, totaling 130 housing units. Residents will be supported by around-the-clock, on‑site case management, behavioral health services and medical care.
“This integrated model is designed to prevent cycling between streets, emergency rooms and temporary shelters that often characterize chronic homelessness,” according to the county.
In addition to providing housing, health care and mental health services, Pacific Village will also offer job training and educational resources that will enable county residents to overcome challenges and find opportunities, officials said.
The campus is expected to be completed this year by late fall and will serve an estimated 350 residents annually.
Formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is based near Highland in San Bernardino County. The federally recognized tribe owns and operates Yaamava’ Resort & Casino.
