Council expands motel voucher funding as staff says 13% of program spent so far

The San Bernardino City Council voted unanimously April 2 to approve additional funding for the city’s motel voucher and rapid rehousing programs, a measure city staff and councilmembers described as an interim tool while the city develops navigation centers and permanent supportive housing.

Nut graf: Council members and staff emphasized the vouchers are intended for stabilization and intake of people who agree to services, not a permanent solution. Staff said the city has expended roughly 13% of an existing $2,700,000 motel voucher allocation and that hotel stays can extend beyond two weeks for participants who are actively engaged with service providers.

Council member Sanchez framed the funding as part of parallel efforts to create durable options, saying the council has pursued a navigation center and purchased land for permanent supportive housing. Council member Ortiz, who pulled the item for discussion, asked whether the city could sustain voucher spending until construction of permanent facilities is complete; staff and the police chief answered that the city currently has funds and is pursuing CDBG and other grant sources to expand supportive services for voucher recipients.

Chief (police) told council the stabilization provided by motel vouchers is “absolutely fruitful,” noting hotel placements allow service providers to engage participants and aim for permanent housing. Housing staff said the police department and partners are billing partner jurisdictions quarterly for their agreed‑upon shares; staff agreed to provide council a report showing amounts billed and received from partner cities.

Ending: The council approved the measure on a unanimous vote. Staff said the voucher program is one element in a wider strategy that includes two planned navigation centers, rapid rehousing approved earlier, and future nonprofit partnerships funded via CDBG to provide onsite services to voucher participants.