Assembly select committee to hold youth homelessness hearing in San Bernardino on Aug. 18
SAN BERNARDINO—Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), chair of the Select Committee on Youth Homelessness in San Bernardino County announced today he will conduct a hearing about local youth homeless on Friday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. at the San Bernardino County Government Center Board Chambers.
In announcing the hearing, Ramos said, “Rates of homelessness, and youth homelessness in particular, are trending the wrong way in our region. When we talk about homelessness, we are not talking about ‘them;’ we are talking about ‘us:’ our family members, our neighbors, sometimes even our co-workers.” He noted that the San Bernardino County Point-in Time Count Report revealed 4,195 adults and children without shelter at the time of the survey – 862 more people than in 2022.
Ramos added, “Three panels will highlight the hearing. Panel topics are: the status of homeless youth in San Bernardino County, state and regional perspectives, and permanent and supportive transitional services.
“We will also discuss solutions that are working to help our homeless such as an award-winning state/nonprofit model used in Norwalk and which I believe can be adapted for use here at Patton State Hospital. My bill, AB 349, authorizes the state to lease the property to a nonprofit or governmental organization and then the leasing entity would design a program that would work locally. We need a determined will and focus, collaboration and creative and wise use of all available resources. We cannot thrive as a region, state, or nation if we continue to fail at solving this most basic of human needs.”
Ramos, who was active in helping reduce homeless rates for veterans as a county board of supervisors chair, is the author this year of AB 42 to reduce construction costs for tiny homes in addition to AB 349. Ramos also suggested the idea in 2020 and earlier this year in commentary pieces.
In addition to introducing legislation, the lawmaker secured $5 million for the City of San Bernardino to assist in developing a new 12.5 acre park and community garden as part of a larger campus, that would include an emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing facility for homeless individuals.
WHAT: Assembly Select Committee Informational Hearing on Youth Homelessness in San Bernardino County
WHO: Ramos, City of San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, Interagency Council on Homelessness member Ruben Mendoza, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health Deputy Director Dr. Timothy Hougen, California Department of Rehabilitation Student Services Counselor Kelli Guillory, One Stop Transitional Aged Youth Center Program Manager Andre Bossieux, Family Assistance Program Executive Director Darryl Evey and San Bernardino County Youth Homelessness Advisory Board Chair Eunice Abel
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 18
10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: San Bernardino County Government Center Board Chambers
385 N. Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92415
