Homelessness – There is Hope

HOPE Team (Homeless, Outreach, Proactive, and Enforcement) Program was started in 2014 and currently employs three San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies who work 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

HOPE Team provides the San Bernardino County homeless community resources for vouchers for motel rooms, information from the Department of Motor Vehicles on how to obtain a new or replacement personal identification card, vouchers for permanent housing (apartments, homes) along with referrals to the 2-1-1 call center.

Annual Point in Time Count (PITC) was held on January 24,2019 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., in all 24 cities and unincorporated areas within the County.

Approximately 750 volunteers registered in 2019 for the Point in Time Count. The volunteers provided over 1,500 hygiene kits to homeless.

The Grand Jury Homeless Committee received the 2019 Point in Time Count in April for 2019. The total population of the homeless in San Bernardino County as counted was 2,607. 25 2018–2019 San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury – Homelessness – There is Hope

The 2-1-1 homeless outreach program is a reactive system, which only helps the homeless that have first called in for assistance via 2-1-1.

In the 2-1-1 phone pre-recorded menu there was no option for “homeless”.

No funds are set aside for 2-1-1 to post visible signage advertising outreach to assist the homeless at most public entities for example parks, hospitals, post offices and libraries.

The homeless assistance in the High Desert/Victorville area, (housing, material goods, transportation, food, utilities and health care) is not equal in comparison to Central San Bernardino County.

Approximately one-half of the homeless interviewed by the Homeless Committee knew about the 2-1-1 call center.

The 2-1-1 call center is administered by the United Way program.

San Bernardino County designated $350,000 each year to 2-1-1 program.

The 2-1-1 (Coordinated Entry System) and the HOPE Team do not share information that concerns the homeless. RECOMMENDATIONS 19-11: The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Hope Team be granted additional manpower to allow for increased coverage of the geographic area of San Bernardino County. This would include San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Hope Team working rotating shifts to cover a 24-hour period Monday through Friday, which would also include two weekends a month. 26 2018–2019 San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury – Homelessness – There is Hope 19-12: 2-1-1 call center to develop an outreach program to include one day a week community service within different homeless communities in San Bernardino County. 19-13: 2-1-1 Call Center must be more effectively promoted to the homeless and low-income community. This would include better signage and 2-1-1 cards displayed within the public areas such as grocery stores, libraries, post office, hospitals, 24-hour clinics, etc. 19-14: A shared database must be developed among the 2-1-1 Call Center, Coordinated Entry System, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department HOPE Team, and the various service providers so that the homeless and low-income residents can be better served. 19-15: The 2-1-1 Call Center must add a “Homeless Option” to the pre-recorded call in menu. AGENCY RECOMMENDATIONS DUE DATE SB County Sheriff’s Dept. 19-11 8/27/2019 County Administrative Office 19-12 through 19-15 9/26/2019 27 2018–2019 San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury – Homelessness – There is Hope PHOTO 1 28 2018–2019 San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury – Homelessness – There is Hope PHOTO 2 29 2018–2019 San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury – Homelessness – There is Hope PHOTO 3 30 2018–2019 San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury – Homelessness – There is Hope PHOTO 4 31 2018–2019 San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury – Homelessness – There is Hope