DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: September 16, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Tanya Romo, Deputy City Manager
Department: Community Development & Housing
Subject: Homeless Strategic Action Plan 2026-2031 –
Implementation Framework (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California receive and file the Homeless Solutions Action Plan, and provide direction to staff regarding implementation priorities, resource allocation, and partnership development for Fiscal Year 2026-2031.
City Manager's Comments
This item is intended to outline the 5-year Homeless Strategic Action Plan for City Council discussion and consideration.
Executive Summary
The City of San Bernardino continues to advance a coordinated and data-driven approach to addressing homelessness through the development of a Five-Year Homeless Strategic Action Plan. The purpose of the Strategic Action Plan is to establish a comprehensive framework that guides the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness, improve system coordination, strengthen partnerships, and expand access to housing and supportive services over the next five years.
The Strategic Action Plan aligns local priorities with regional, state, and federal homelessness initiatives and identifies measurable goals, implementation strategies, and performance outcomes. The plan will serve as a roadmap for the City, service providers, community partners, and stakeholders to address homelessness through prevention, outreach, interim housing, permanent housing solutions, behavioral health services, workforce development, and long-term stabilization efforts.
Recent Point-in-Time Count data reflect continued progress in the City’s homelessness response efforts, including reductions in homelessness through coordinated outreach, housing navigation, and supportive service initiatives. However, ongoing strategic planning, resource coordination, and sustained investment remain necessary to address continuing challenges and improve long-term outcomes for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Staff is seeking City Council discussion and direction on implementation priorities, partnership development, and future strategies for the Five-Year Homeless Strategic Action Plan.
Background
The City of San Bernardino continues to face significant challenges related to homelessness and housing insecurity. Rising housing costs, limited shelter capacity, and increased demand for supportive services have created an urgent need for a coordinated, data-driven response.
In 2025, the City initiated the development of a new and updated Homeless Solutions Action Plan (HSAP) to establish a unified framework that aligns City efforts with those of County agencies, service providers, and community partners, including nonprofit organizations.
The HSAP is guided by the principles of compassion, collaboration, and accountability, emphasizing long-term solutions to homelessness while ensuring that immediate needs for safety and stability are met.
Discussion
The Homeless Solutions Action Plan establishes a five-year strategic framework to guide the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness, improve system coordination, expand housing opportunities, and strengthen supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The plan aims to provide a coordinated, measurable approach that aligns local efforts with regional, state, and federal homelessness initiatives while addressing the unique needs of the San Bernardino community.
The Action Plan incorporates local analysis, Point-in-Time Count data, and assessment of existing programs and service gaps to support data-informed decision- making and implementation strategies. The plan also aligns with the City’s broader housing and homelessness objectives and supports the Housing and Homeless Services Division’s ongoing efforts to leverage federal and state funding resources, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF), and Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) programs.
The Action Plan identifies three primary focus areas:
1. Strengthen collaboration and coordination among public agencies, service providers, and community stakeholders;
2. Increase and enhance supportive services and income support programs;
3. Improve housing capacity through expanded sheltering, interim housing, permanent housing opportunities, and long-term housing stabilization strategies.
Key implementation priorities identified in the Action Plan include eliminating barriers to housing access and improving long-term housing retention through evidence-based service models and coordinated case management practices. The plan also emphasizes the use of low-barrier emergency sheltering as part of a comprehensive housing services continuum designed to support individuals transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
Additionally, the Action Plan prioritizes strengthening regional partnerships and interagency collaboration, including coordination with the Continuum of Care (CoC), County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), service providers, and community- based organizations to improve service coordination, maximize funding opportunities, and support a unified regional response to homelessness. Recent City Council actions, including the declarations of a Homelessness State of Emergency in 2023 and 2024, further reflect the City’s ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness through coordinated and strategic efforts.
To address increasing demand for housing resources, the Action Plan includes strategies to expand housing availability and support the development of additional housing opportunities across the City. These efforts are intended to improve housing access, reduce returns to homelessness, and promote long-term community stability.
Staff is seeking City Council feedback and direction on implementation priorities, partnership development, funding considerations, and future policy strategies for the Homeless Solutions Action Plan.
Strategic Goals and Priorities
This item is consistent with Strategic Target and Goal No. 3, Improved Quality of Life:
Reduce the impacts of homelessness through coordinated engagement, strategic partnerships, and expanded access to housing and supportive services. The HSAO supports the City’s commitment to improving quality of life by implementing data- informed strategies that strengthen system coordination, enhance housing stability, and connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to critical resources.
Fiscal Impact
Implementation of the HSAP will require a combination of local, state, and federal resources, as well as private and philanthropic support. Staff will pursue funding opportunities through the State Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Program, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and other grant sources. While funding may be supported through grants or external sources, there is a potential unknown impact on the General Fund related to ongoing operational, administrative, or support costs.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, receive and file the Homeless Solutions Action Plan, and provide direction to staff regarding implementation priorities, resource allocation, and partnership development for Fiscal Year 2026-2031.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Homeless Solutions Action Plan
Attachment 2 HSAP PPT
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
N/A
CC
Eric Levitt, City Manager