Moreno Valley — The City Council unanimously created a homelessness ad hoc subcommittee during its Jan. 7 meeting and appointed two council liaisons and an alternate to increase collaboration with regional partners and local service providers.

The subcommittee: Established under Legislative Policy 1.07, the ad hoc group will convene regularly to coordinate with Riverside University Health System, the Salvation Army, Path of Life and other community‑based organizations working on homelessness, with the goal of improving coordination, aligning funding and identifying practical local responses. The council approved a one‑year look‑back requirement: staff and the subcommittee must report back to the council on progress after 12 months so the council can assess continuation or modification.

Appointments: The council appointed Mayor Cabrera and Council member Bernard as primary liaisons, and Council member Gonzales as the alternate liaison. The council clarified that the subcommittee will not have independent spending authority; any funding recommendations will return to the full council for approval.

Why it matters: Council members and public speakers urged faster, more coordinated action on homelessness, and several commenters noted the county’s role and available state tools. Supporters of the subcommittee said it will provide a monthly forum to bring partner agencies together for deeper discussion than is possible in a 3‑minute public‑comment slot at regular council meetings.

Public comments: Speakers urged the council to use existing county and state tools to address behavioral health and encampments, to avoid unintentionally increasing local encampments by concentrating services, and to prioritize referrals to available treatment and shelter resources.

Vote: The motion to establish the subcommittee and appoint Mayor Cabrera and Council member Bernard, with Council member Gonzales as alternate, passed unanimously (Council member Baca Santa Cruz: yes; Council member Delgado: yes; Council member Gonzales: yes; Council member Bernard: yes; Mayor Cabrera: yes).