San Bernardino County’s Housing Program Funds 170-Bed Facility Offering Medical Care, Behavioral Health, and Job Readiness Programs
Victorville, CA (High Desert News Online) – Victorville’s Wellness Center has secured $489,820 in funding from San Bernardino County’s Housing and Homeless Incentive Program (HHIP). This significant investment will bolster the center’s ability to provide essential services—including medical care, behavioral health support, and job readiness programs—for unhoused individuals in the High Desert community.
Major Funding Boost for Victorville Wellness Center
Victorville’s Wellness Center is set to receive $489,820 from San Bernardino County’s Housing and Homeless Incentive Program. This funding is part of a partnership with Molina Healthcare aimed at addressing homelessness through innovative solutions. The center serves as a vital resource for unhoused individuals by offering emergency shelter and comprehensive support services.
The 170-bed facility provides interim housing in modular units designed for singles, families, and those requiring medical recuperative care. Its wraparound services include medical treatment, mental health care, and programs that prepare residents for employment and independent living.
Why This Investment Matters to Victorville
Homelessness continues to be a pressing issue in Victorville, which has one of the highest concentrations of unhoused individuals in San Bernardino County. According to the county’s 2023 Homeless Point-in-Time Count, Victorville reported 607 sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals—highlighting the urgent need for local solutions.
Victorville Mayor Debra Jones praised the funding as a critical step toward addressing homelessness responsibly. “Our Victorville Wellness Center is the result of tremendous collaboration from our community…to break the cycle of homelessness,” said Jones. The funding ensures that the center can expand its impact and help more people transition to stability.
What Services Does the Wellness Center Provide?
The Victorville Wellness Center combines emergency shelter with essential services under one roof. Residents have access to:
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Medical Care: On-site clinics allow hospitals to discharge unhoused patients directly for recuperative care.
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Behavioral Health Support: Mental health professionals provide counseling and therapy tailored to individual needs.
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Job Readiness Programs: Training sessions prepare residents for employment opportunities and long-term independence.
Dr. Shawn Smith, CEO of Symba Center—the nonprofit managing healthcare services at the facility—emphasized how these services are interconnected: “If people don’t have their basic needs met with health care and mental health support, they can’t start working or living independently.”
Collaborative Solutions Addressing Homelessness
The funding is part of San Bernardino County’s broader initiative to combat homelessness through public-private partnerships like HHIP. Molina Healthcare plays a key role in this collaboration by supporting Medi-Cal patients across California with tailored resources for vulnerable populations.
In addition to Victorville, HHIP allocated $500,000 to Fontana’s The Path shelter—demonstrating the county’s commitment to tackling homelessness region-wide. These investments prioritize both immediate needs like shelter beds and long-term solutions such as job training and healthcare access.
A Model for Change in the High Desert
Victorville’s Wellness Center has become a model for addressing homelessness in California’s High Desert region. With this latest funding injection, it is poised to expand its reach further. By combining emergency housing with holistic care services, the center offers hope and a path forward for some of Victorville’s most vulnerable residents.
Mayor Jones summed up its importance: “In order to restore balance back to our community…we must have adequate shelter beds and collaborative solutions.” The Wellness Center exemplifies how local governments, healthcare providers, and nonprofits can work together to create impactful change.
