Large-Scale Homeless Facility Proposed For RivCo Gets Big Boost

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A large project slated to be "a holistic and comprehensive approach" to address western Coachella Valley’s unhoused residents just got a massive boost. On Wednesday it was announced that the state of California awarded $19 million to the city of Palm Springs and Riverside County for the proposed "Palm Springs Navigation Campus" at 3589 McCarthy Road, which is anticipated to open next spring.

With the latest funding, the city will continue to move forward with design, renovations and construction of the facility that currently features three standing buildings totaling 46,000 square feet on 3.64 acres. The campus will consist of a shelter facility, 80 interim housing units and full wrap-around services that include behavioral health care, workforce training, linkage to state and county services, and other resources to get unhoused individuals linked to permanent housing, according to a joint news release from the city and county.

Martha’s Village & Kitchen was selected by the city as the facility's operator, according to the news release. It is estimated it will cost $2.6 million annually to operate the Navigation Center, according to a city FAQ about the project.

In total, $30 million has been secured for the Palm Springs Navigation Campus. In addition to the $19 million state grant, Riverside County has allocated $5.7 million to the project from the Fourth District’s federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. The city of Palm Springs is also contributing $5.3 million of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention funds to effort, according to the news release.

The city and county were co-applicants for the $19 million grant that was awarded as part of California's "Homekey Round 2" funding.

“I am proud of this successful award of state funding, an effort that was led out of my office and an example of the collaborative work the county and City of Palm Springs have been working on for five years to bring holistic help for our unhoused residents," Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said. "I am also glad the $5.7 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation from the county, which we propose to increase to a total of $7 million, is acting as matching dollars for this project."

“We couldn’t be more grateful and excited about today’s announcement of the state’s significant investment in the Palm Springs Navigation Center. This funding will allow us to make a significant impact and real time solutions for our homeless residents,” said Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton.

Homekey is a statewide effort to expand housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, approximately $1.4 billion (FY 2021-22) in grant funding will be made available to local public entities, including cities, counties, or other local public entities, such as housing authorities or Tribal Entities within California.

See all the Homekey Round 2 award recipients here.