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Desert Hot Springs keeps outreach-focused SWAG/CRT homelessness model after data briefing
Summary
After a detailed staff briefing showing improved outreach and treatment connections, the Desert Hot Springs City Council voted unanimously Nov. 4 to continue the Social Work Action Group (SWAG) and Critical Response Team (CRT) model rather than adopt a citywide housing-first shift or immediately join CVAG's CV200 slots.
City staff presented a comprehensive update on local homelessness efforts and outcomes at the Nov. 4 Desert Hot Springs City Council meeting, and the council voted unanimously to continue the city's current Social Work Action Group (SWAG) plus Critical Response Team (CRT) outreach model.
City staff (Mrs. Williams) told the council that the city's homelessness work has evolved since 2019, noting the effects of a displaced population following issues at the Hyundai Hotel and changes in state law following the Martin v. Boise line of cases. She summarized the city's interventions: the 2023 purchase and operation of a hub (66753 Hassienda Avenue) originally run as a 26-bed emergency shelter in partnership with Martha's Village & Kitchen, later transitioned to a street-outreach and treatment-focused model after SWAG was contracted.
"SWAG has provided intense street outreach to 86 unduplicated…
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