Key Milestones of the Homelessness Solutions Task Force

• City partnered with San Bernardino County Housing Authority to convert a dilapidated motel into a 31-unit, permanent supportive housing complex.

February 2019

• City Council approves the creation of a Homelessness Solutions Task Force to address the complexity of homelessness.

July 2019

• City hires its Homelessness Solutions Coordinator.

September 2019

• City Manager, Keith Metzler designated co-chair of the Desert Regional Steering Committee (advisory group for Interagency Council on Homelessness). City Manager, Keith Metzler has been a member of San Bernardino County’s Interagency Council on Homelessness since 2018.

October 2019

• City Council adopts a Homelessness Solutions Strategic Action Plan.

November 2019

• Code Enforcement creates an Online Trespass Arrest Authorization Form. (Citizens able to give law enforcement permission to take swift, legal action against trespassers and vagrants on property).

January 2020

• City hosts annual Point in Time Count (35.4% increase in homeless persons).

March 2020

• City initiates Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate emergency responses to matters related to COVID-19, attend to the needs of the homeless, respond to federal, state, and local orders, and manage human resources.

August 2020              

• City receives entitlement notice from the State regarding annual Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA). ($632,770 to be released for FY 2020). 

• City receives direction from Council to pursue the location of the Wellness Center at: 16902 First Street Victorville, CA 92395.

• City Council orders a Notice of Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining the construction process for the Wellness Center Project.

October 2020

• City’s application for Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant was approved ($300,000).

• City launches Homeless Solutions Webpage.

• City receives a Funding Reservation Letter from the State for Project Homekey in the amount of $16.8 Million for Wellness Center Project.

January 2021

• City drafts a  Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Lead Operator to oversee Interim Shelter.

December 2021

• City was notified by HCD of an award in the amount of $28,004,058 under Homekey Round 2 for the Wellness Center project, of which $23,612,058 was awarded to fund capital construction costs and $4,392,000 for operational expenses.

January 2022

• City hosts annual Point in Time Count.

March 2022

• City Council approved the initial construction contract for the construction of Phase 1 of the Project to Angeles Contractors Inc.

April 2022

• Construction for Phase 1 started. The scope of the Phase 1 construction includes the following: the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) Interceptor through the project boundaries; grading of the site; a stormwater detention basin; and underground utilities for storm drain, sewer, domestic water, fire suppression, electrical and gas. The project was separated into two construction phases to start site construction as soon as feasible to comply with Homekey grant deadline.

• City Council approved contracts with Connect Homes for the manufacturing of 46 modular shelter units, and Urban Bloc for the manufacturing of five modular bathroom units.

 June 2022

• City Council approved a second contract with Connect Homes for the manufacturing of modular units for four community buildings. The manufactured buildings are progressing on schedule at the factories.  As of September 2022, Connect Homes has already completed all the shelter buildings within their factory and are gearing up to start the manufacturing of the community buildings. Urban Bloc is also progressing on the 5 community bathroom buildings. 

• City Council approves contract with Interim Shelter Operator (High Desert Homeless Services).

July 2022

• In an effort to expand our efforts to address homelessness in the city, City hires Homelessness Solutions Manager.

August 2022

• City Council approved the Phase 2 construction contract for the remaining site work to Angeles Contractors Inc. The scope of the Phase 2 construction includes: a sewer lift station and grease interceptor; street improvements, a fire access road, a parking lot; building foundations; anchoring the modular buildings to the foundations; electrical wiring; utility connections to the buildings; finishes on the community buildings; food service equipment in the cafeteria building; wood decking for porches and patios; accessible concrete sidewalk and paths; irrigation; landscaping; fencing; gates; and other miscellaneous improvements.

 January 2023

• City released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Wellness Center Wraparound Services Provider.

• City hosts annual Point in Time Count (45 individuals volunteered).

February 2023

• City released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Wellness Center Shelter Operator.

April 2023

• Homelessness Solutions Team submits application for the Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) Program grant.

• Homelessness Solutions Task Force took action on amending the bylaws (HSTF-23-001).

May 2023

• City released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Wellness Center Client Management System.

• Homelessness Solutions Task Force took action to endorse and support Healthy and Sustainable Giving Guidelines that are intended to educate and provide best practices to the public.

June 2023

• City selects and City Council approved contracts with the Wellness Center Wraparound Services Provider (Symba Center) and Shelter Operator (Hope the Mission).