June 16, 2023
The Honorable James C. Ramos
1021 O Street, Suite 8310
Sacramento CA 95814
RE: AB 349 Patton State Hospital
Dear Assemblymember Ramos:
On behalf of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Rialto, we are writing to express our support for Assembly Bill 349 (Ramos). AB 349 would authorize the Department of General Services to lease a building located at Patton State Hospital to a nonprofit corporation or local government to provide housing and mental health services to unsheltered individuals.
Patton State Hospital is located in a centralized area of the County of San Bernardino and it has great potential to be transformed into an effective facility that incorporates housing and mental health services for many of the San Bernardino County communities. The City of Rialto is one of the many cities within the inland empire and San Bernardino County that is greatly impacted by the existing housing crisis and increase in those experiencing homelessness.
San Bernardino County’s 2023 point in time count has shown that there is an ongoing need for mental health services as well as housing. There were 4,195 individuals identified as homeless and 44.1% of those counted had a condition such as a mental illness. In order to help the unhoused in our communities, it requires a joint effort of state and local leaders which AB 349 aims to do. By working together and allowing for Patton State Hospital to be used for these services, regional leaders can craft their own model of care so that we can save and change lives.
It is for these reasons, the City of Rialto firmly expresses our support for AB 349 which works towards a regional model to help unhoused individuals in the Inland Empire.
Sincerely,
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