Homelessness demands a robust regional approach
In late January, a wizened homeless 62-year-old woman, with socks but no shoes, sat under a San Bernardino city freeway bridge bundled against the cold. She appeared to be about to cry as she received a care package from Mayor Helen Tran, who joined volunteers in performing the annual county homeless count.
A photo and others of that woman was published by the San Bernardino Sun. In that moment, the photographer captured the bleak existence of more than 3,000 unsheltered homeless on our streets. We were not looking at a “them” homeless issue; we were observing an “us” issue, affecting all of who observe encampments, spot huddled individuals on sidewalks, in empty spaces or crouched in front of businesses and other buildings.
A few weeks after that January count, the San Bernardino City Council unanimously followed Los Angeles and Long Beach in officially declaring homelessness an emergency. Members cited a 175% increase in homelessness over the past five years in homelessness in approving the declaration.
One of the most critical revelations of the January count is that nearly 44%, almost half of unsheltered adults, were chronically homeless. That is defined as being without shelter for a year or more and having a disabling condition such as mental illness, chronic health condition or a physical disability.
Creating stable housing placement offering medical care and other services for this large portion of our local unsheltered, demands an urgent, effective, collaborative, all-handson-deck approach. No one entity, no one source of funding is adequate to solve our growing behaviorally ill and unsheltered population. City, county, state and community resources must be leveraged to deal with this issue.
One example of a state-local partnership that meets such needs is the Norwalk HFL Cedar Homes for Life Foundation in Los Angeles County. It is located on the grounds of a former state hospital. Established in 2005, it has assisted thousands of its residents transition into long-term community housing. The program provides the services, training and overall support required for successful resident transition. Services range from mental health services such as medication management and daily life skills to case management. This program began with a 30-year lease entered into by local entities, the state and care providers. They navigated historical designations, created community acceptance and went on to establish an award-winning model that aids the unsheltered change their lives — and probably saves those lives. Unfortunately, it remains unique in California.
California and the Inland Empire possess the resources to follow the Norwalk example. We have the impetus — a devastating 175% increase in homelessness here in the county. Those individuals are our family members, friends and neighbors.
Reducing homelessness is a priority for me. During my time as a San Bernardino County supervisor and as the board chair, I was able to lead an effort to identify homeless veterans and significantly reduce the number of former service men and women living without shelter. We also began reducing the number of homeless youth. As an Assemblymember, I have worked with the county Sheriff’s Department to support its HOPE program that works with homeless service providers in the county to stop the cycle of arrest, incarceration and release around homeless-related crimes.
We have a starting point for constructing a similar life changer. By converting Patton State Hospital — surplus property — and collaborating with our local governments and nonprofit organizations, we have a starting point for a San Bernardino area program similar to that in Norwalk.
Fortunately, local and state leaders have forged strong working relationships. I invite them to join me in aiding our communities and the chronically homeless in designing our own model program. If each entity contributes to the whole and then together leverages their resources, we can save and will change lives.
James C. Ramos represents the 45th Assembly District, which includes Fontana, Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the Legislature. Ramos chairs the Assembly Committee on Rules.