Desert Hot Springs keeps outreach-focused SWAG/CRT homelessness model after data briefing

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 individuals. Of those, 66 individuals successfully exited the street into treatment, housing or stabilization programs," Mrs. Williams said, citing staff data. She contrasted those outcomes with the city's initial shelter-based housing-first performance (18 individuals housed in the first year under that model).

SWAG representatives and the city described the CRT as a multi-disciplinary team that combines two dedicated code officers, two police officers, and four SWAG street outreach staff who coordinate cleanups, targeted outreach, and placements. Staff said the CRT has made arrests tied to criminal activity (191 arrests reported over the last year) as part of restoring public safety in key corridors while providing treatment referrals.

Regional stakeholders urged coordination but differed on emphasis. "CV Housing First is a niche program; we serve the chronically homeless and collaborate across the valley," said Erikica Felchy of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), noting CVAG's offer of CV200 slots and a request that cities consider an ongoing contribution (Felchy cited a $125,000 participation figure used by CVAG). She said CVAG programs often complement local outreach.

Local treatment providers praised the current outreach model. "Homelessness isn't just about housing; it's about getting to the root," said Brandy Tamez of Bellamonte Recovery Center, and she encouraged continued focus on treatment, recovery and coordinated referrals.

Council members who spoke during the discussion pointed to the data and to cost and operational considerations. Council member Pittz said on the record, "SWAG is working," and other council members noted the program's better per-client cost outcomes compared with prior housing-first spending. Staff had told council that adopting a housing-first approach and full CV200 participation would require about $120,000 plus any ERF-related costs and potential operational changes at the hub.

After discussion and public comment, the council voted unanimously to continue the existing SWAG/CRT model and directed staff to keep coordinating with regional partners and property owners to abate encampments, protect public safety, and connect individuals to treatment and stabilization programs.

Next steps noted by staff included continuing CRT operations as budgeted for FY 2025'26, maintaining encampment abatement and property-owner coordination, and reporting back on any ERF grant discussions if staff recommended city participation that aligned with current city policy.

Local providers, CVAG representatives and city staff will continue to coordinate; the council did not adopt a citywide housing-first policy at this meeting.