Rivco Supes Approve Palm Springs Navigation Center Funds Amid Area's Homeless Crisis

PALM DESERT, CA —The Riverside County Board of Supervisors aims to help the city of Palm Spring's homeless crisis. On Tuesday, the board approved the use of $5.7 million for the Palm Springs Navigation Center toward addressing the city's homeless needs.

The funds will be used to acquire the center's campus, to be located in Palm Springs, but were not specified by the office of Supervisor Manuel Perez. Perez's office says they are seeking additional funding from the county for the renovation and development of the campus in an expected total of $7 million.

Solutions Over Problems: Navigation Center Campus

The Navigation Center Campus will seek to address Palm Springs's homelessness issue with a "solution-oriented approach." The development will occur both by the city and in partnership with Riverside County.

The campus will provide housing and comprehensive services for the homeless.

Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton spoke on the issue during the meeting.

"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," Middleton said. "For our residents, businesses, visitors and for those living on our streets, it is a time for action."

According to Middleton, the Palm Springs Navigation Center will serve as a "concrete action step" toward making a difference for the community.

She thanked Supervisor Perez and our partners at the county of Riverside for making that difference.

What do you think about the issues of homelessness in your area? Let us know by emailing your Patch editor.

City News Service contributed to this report.