Council approves $6.7 million commitment to Lutheran Social Services wellness campus; council asks for more prioritized beds for San Bernardino

The San Bernardino City Council unanimously approved a $6.7 million funding commitment to the San Bernardino Community Wellness Campus project proposed by Lutheran Social Services of Southern California in partnership with Dignity Moves.

The council action increases the city's contribution for the campus and was advanced with a motion and second on the consent of council after a staff presentation. Staff told the council the campus project would create a new campus with a total of 200 beds systemwide, including a new build phase of 140 beds; the city’s proposed funding share was described as a pro-rata contribution toward a larger $32 million project cost. As part of the approved funding arrangement, staff said the city would seek contract provisions to prioritize at least 24 beds for placements by San Bernardino outreach teams.

Council members raised the availability of prioritized beds as a central issue during debate. Council member Knauss asked staff to continue conversations with the provider to increase the number of beds prioritized for San Bernardino residents and outreach teams, noting that the city currently had no guaranteed prioritized beds. Staff and the project team said that the regulatory and loan agreement for the project would include prioritization language for 24 beds and that the council could direct staff to push for additional allocation during negotiations.

Council members emphasized the city's recent ARPA allocations and broader homelessness strategy. A speaker noted the operational need for more accessible shelter beds for outreach teams and urged the city to press partners to secure additional beds beyond the 24 prioritized units in the initial agreement. The council approved the funding action with a unanimous vote and asked staff to pursue additional prioritization where feasible without holding up the funding commitment.

City staff said the campus would expand local shelter and supportive services capacity and that the city’s funding would be structured as a loan/regulatory agreement with conditions tied to prioritization and reporting. The city manager indicated staff would continue negotiations with Lutheran Social Services and potential co-applicants, and return with final contractual documents for the council’s review.