Homelessness in
Barstow
November 4, 2025
1 Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
62 A National and Local Challenge
Homelessness is a pervasive issue across the United States. On any given night, more than 650,000 Americans experience homelessness.
California accounts for about one-third of the nation’s unhoused population.
Contributing factors: housing costs, mental health, substance use, and economic inequality.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
63 Homelessness in California
Despite its economic power, California faces severe housing shortages, driven in large part by the housing affordability crisis. For every 100 extremely low-income Californians, only 24 affordable units exist.
Seniors are the fastest-growing group of unhoused individuals.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
64 Homelessness in Barstow
Barstow, while small, faces unique rural challenges: limited shelter beds and service accessibility.
Many experiencing homelessness in Barstow are local residents, not transplants.
City, county, and community groups have formed partnerships to address the crisis.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
65 Housing Pathways: Transitional & Permanent Supportive Capacity Coordinated Housing & Supportive Living
Program/Provider Service Type Key Details & Capacity
New Hope Village Transitional Housing Operates a 10-unit transitional housing facility in the Barstow area.
Growing Outreach, Growing
Opportunities (GOGO) Transitional/Rental Assistance
HHAP Focus: Securing 12-month
transitional house leases, providing
rental assistance for long-term movein or eviction prevention.
New Life Fellowship (NLF) Rapid Re-Housing & Case
Management
HHAP-4 Focus: Housing Stability
Plans, dedicated Housing Navigator,
and Housing Retention services. Fully
integrated with CES/HMIS.
Desert Sanctuary, Inc. Specialized Emergency Shelter
Dedicated facility and resources for
victims of domestic violence and
their children.
66 Desert Manna:
• Maintains a large Food Bank for consistent food security. • Provides Emergency Shelter Vouchers: Approximately 75–110 motel vouchers issued annually for immediate, short-term crisis housing.
• Operated a 32-bed emergency shelter for 27 years (historical capacity experience). New Life Fellowship (NLF):
• Neighbors in Need: Operates a consistent weekly food outreach program. Pastor Willie Smith Outreach:
• Conducts regular street outreach and meal distribution throughout the city via a City of Barstow CDBG grant.
• Community Partnership: The NLF kitchen team partners once a month to prepare a hot meal for distribution.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
Essential Outreach, Food, and Emergency Access
Meeting Immediate Needs: Street Outreach & Vouchers
67 Key Supportive Programs (County DBH)
• DBH Clubhouse Program: A highly active, recovery-oriented mental health program that provides members with structure, meaningful work, and community integration—a crucial resource for long-term mental health stability.
• DBH Supportive Apartments: Provides specialized housing units paired with intensive behavioral health services and clinical case management. City/Law Enforcement Coordination (HOPE– Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement):
• Police Officer Gomez (Homeless Liaison): The City of Barstow has dedicated a specific officer to act as the liaison for homeless individuals. • Role: The officer is tasked with outreach, public safety, and connecting individuals directly to the CES and service providers (NLF, Desert Manna), shifting the focus from enforcement to resource engagement.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
Behavioral Health and Public Safety Integration
Specialized Support & Coordinated Public Engagement
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
68 Impact on the Barstow Police Department:
Operations Increases in calls for service related to trespassing, loitering, welfare checks, and disturbances strain patrol resources. Heightened demand for crisis intervention, mental health response, and officer safety precautions during encounters.
Frequent cleanup requests, property damage complaints, and repeat contacts divert time from proactive enforcement and investigations.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
69 How we address & Services we offer:
InnRoads Program (San Bernardino County): Provides case management, housing placement, mental health care, and medical services to unhoused individuals.
MAPP Program (in partnership with SB County Probation): Assists clients in obtaining identification, Social Security cards, education resources, and pathways to stability.
Community Policing & Outreach: Officers connect individuals to local shelters, substance-abuse programs, and veteran support services while maintaining safety for residents and businesses.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
6 10
Detective Josh Gomez: Homeless Outreach Mission
Primary Mission: Serve as the Barstow Police Department’s dedicated Homeless Outreach Officer, bridging the gap between the unhoused community and local resources.
Community Collaboration: Works directly with property and business owners to address trespassing, safety concerns, and chronic homelessness through education and communication.
Support and Solutions: Connects individuals to housing, treatment, and social services while ensuring public spaces remain safe and accessible for all.
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
6 Impact on the Barstow Fire Protection District
Homeless encampments increase fire risks due to open flames and hard-to-access areas or adjoining structures (Occupied or Abandon). Firefighters respond more frequently to incidents involving unsheltered individuals.
Added workload, safety risks, and resource strain for the Fire District. 11 Additional Resources
6 12
VACANT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
• Vacant Residential Properties Must Be Maintained by the Property Owner • Property Owners are Encouraged to Remain Vigilant to the Condition of Their Property(ies) • Properties Unlawfully Occupied by an Unauthorized Party(ies) 28 Days or Less – Owner Can Authorize Police Department to Trespass 29 Days or More – Occupant(s) are Subject to the Eviction Process • Providing Proof of Occupancy (e.g. # of Days) is Difficult • Costly to Property Owner (e.g. Potential Damage to Property, Eviction Costs) • Eviction Process Can Be Slow
VACANT LAND / HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS
• Land Owners Must Be Diligent About the Condition of Their Properties to Include Vacant, Undeveloped Land • Contrary to Popular Belief, All Vacant, Undeveloped Land is Owned By Government or Private Owner • Vacant Land ≠ Unowned Land
• Trespass and Eviction Timelines are Same as Residential Properties • Ultimately, Properties Owners are Responsible to Maintain Property • Property Owners Need to Report Any Potential Items of Value to the Police Department for Safekeeping.
Notify the City of Suspicious Activities Upon a Known Vacant Property or Parcel City of Barstow – BarstowConnect App
Code Compliance Department
(760) 255-5190
Addressing Homelessness in Barstow
6 Conclusion:
Homelessness in Barstow reflects broader state and national issues — but progress is visible.
Community-based programs, strong partnerships, and policy action are making a difference.
Sustaining funding and expanding affordable housing are key to continued success.
City of Barstow continues to pursue additional funding and coordination with City Partners through the Homeward Bound Committee. 13 Questions?
Thank You