San Bernardino approves Helping Hearts to run SB Hope navigation center; council directs staff to seek regional partners

San Bernardino officials on May 21 approved a professional services agreement with Helping Hearts Hulin LLC to operate the city’s planned SB Hope navigation campus, a modular, low‑barrier site designed to provide interim housing, recuperative care and on‑site supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.

The council voted unanimously to award the contract and to direct staff to pursue regional partners and county funding to reduce San Bernardino’s share of ongoing operating costs. Councilmember Yuri Ortiz made the motion; Councilmember Ted Sanchez seconded.

Staff said the campus will be constructed as a single project but operated in two phases: an initial 100‑bed phase followed by a second 100‑bed expansion. Interim public‑works and homelessness staff briefed the council on the construction timeline and operational model. Public‑works director Lynn Merrill said modular components and off‑site fabrication should shorten build time, but site preparation and utility work remain on the critical path.…