Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Navigation Center topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Bernardino awards professional-services agreement to operate SBHOPE navigation campus
Summary
The City Council agreed to a multi‑phase professional services agreement with Helping Hearts California to operate the SBHOPE navigation campus, authorizing an initial phase of 100 beds and outlining a two‑phase buildout and possible city operating contributions if state reimbursements fall short.
The San Bernardino City Council on May 21 approved a professional‑services agreement with Helping Hearts California to operate the city’s SBHOPE navigation campus, a modular shelter and services site intended to stabilize people experiencing homelessness.
City staff described the project as a two‑phase campus that would open with 100 beds in phase 1 and expand to 200 total beds in phase 2. The staff presentation said the agreement would not exceed $2,000,395.75 for phase 1 and $300,000 for phase 2, with additional annual operating contributions described in the staff materials. Council members voted to approve the agreement unanimously.
The staff presentation, delivered by the public‑works and homeless‑services teams, listed a construction and approval schedule that includes submission of architectural plans to the state on June 3, 2025; a mandatory contractor walk‑through (RFP B) on Aug. 4, 2024; an anticipated contract award on Sept. 3, 2025; and target notices to proceed and a construction start in November (dates were presented by staff). City staff said the modular nature of the build means state review is a critical step and could take about two weeks once plans are submitted.
City staff and Helping Hearts outlined the campus’s intended services: on‑site case management, counseling for mental‑health and substance use needs, assistance with identification and benefits paperwork, workforce training and three meals per day (projected at up to 600 meals daily when at full 200‑bed capacity). Staff emphasized the program would welcome people’s companion pets.
Helping Hearts representatives described their experience operating similar facilities and working with Medi‑Cal (referred to in the presentation) to secure reimbursements for clinical services. Staff told the council that reimbursement assumptions play a large role in the project’s financial outlook: in the presentation officials described a “best‑case” scenario in which Medi‑Cal reimbursements substantially offset operating costs and a “worst‑case” scenario in which city contributions could rise materially. Council members pressed staff on contingency planning, regional partnerships and interim options to house people while the campus is built.
Council members asked for more details about regional coordination, access to existing beds in the city and county, and interim shelter capacity. Staff said they hold twice‑weekly project coordination meetings with the design team and homeless‑services partners and that they will continue seeking county and regional partnerships to improve bed access during the construction period. Several council members urged staff to pursue interjurisdictional agreements and software tools to share bed availability across service providers.
The motion to award the agreement and authorize associated budget actions passed unanimously. Staff said they would return with final contract documents and schedule next steps for implementation and any additional council approvals required.
The council also discussed broader homelessness response work — including motel vouchers, mobile showers and laundry services — as part of the budget and project update presented earlier in the meeting.
