Coachella Valley Homeless Campus Gets Initial County Funding

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — The Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an initial allocation of $5.7 million toward the Palm Springs Navigation Campus, a county and city partnership to address homelessness in the Coachella Valley.

The funds will go toward the acquisition of the 3.64-acre Palm Springs campus at 3589 McCarthy Road in the Desert Highland Gateway Estates neighborhood. While it is an initial allocation, Supervisor V. Manuel Perez is ultimately seeking to propose more funding from the county for a total of $7 million for the renovation and development of the campus.

The campus will provide housing and services for homeless people.

“This is a major investment that will benefit residents and our communities by addressing homelessness,” Perez said. “I am particularly excited about the navigation campus because, since the closure of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, I have worked hard to find the resources to establish a new west valley navigation campus. I want to thank the City of Palm Springs for its partnership in this endeavor.”

The Palm Springs Navigation Campus is being developed by the City of Palm Springs, in partnership with the county. In November, the Palm Springs City Council voted 4-1 to move forward with acquiring the McCarthy Road site for $5.9 million. Councilmember Grace Garner, who represents District 1 where the property is located, voted no.

The site has been controversial. During the November City Council meeting, dozens of local residents called into the nearly 7-hour meeting to comment on the issue — many in opposition.

“The City of Palm Springs appreciates the support of Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and the County of Riverside in helping to fund this critical new Homeless Navigation Center. Addressing the scourge of homelessness requires the cooperation of us all. We cannot do this alone,” said Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton. “In this instance, federal funding and county cooperation allow us to build in Palm Springs a center of housing, rehabilitation and recovery that will move people permanently from our streets to their new homes. For our residents, businesses, visitors and for those living on our streets it is a time for action. The Palm Springs Navigation Center is a concrete action step that will make a difference in our community. We thank Supervisor Perez and our partners at the County of Riverside in making a difference.”