Victorville, CA – 02/14/25 – Victorville City Planning Commission met Wednesday, February 12 to consider modification of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for High Desert Homeless Services (HDHS). Approved unanimously, the updated CUP allows HDHS to reopen as a dedicated Transitional Age Youth (TAY) shelter for homeless youth ages 18-24 and permits the nonprofit to host a co-tenant.
Family Assistance Program, as co-tenant, will operate FAMSpot Youth Drop-in Center out of HDHS’s property located at 14049 Amargosa Road, Victorville. The partnership will meet the needs of at-risk and homeless TAY by providing full wrap-around support services in conjunction with housing within one location, leveraging the agencies’ combined seventy-five years of experience with the homeless population.
Public comments made during the February 12 meeting included a statement by Kevin Mahany, Co-chair of the Desert Region Committee on Homelessness, citing current data of 6-10 identified homeless youth in the High Desert in need of shelter, and local beds are not available. The modified CUP permits 26 shelter beds to be available at the location.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Victorville Planning Commission for approving the conditional use permit for our transitional youth housing shelter. This decision is a vital step in addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable young people in our community. When cities partner with nonprofits that are doing the real work – being the boots on the ground – we create real, lasting change.” Adelanto Councilwoman and Family Assistance Program Board Member Stevonna Evans.
“High Desert Homeless Services would like to thank Family Assistance Program for joining our shared mission and renewed purpose for the shelter. It took a lot of teamwork to get the application submitted for the Conditional Use Permit modification. We wish to thank the City staff and the Planning Commission Committee for believing in us and our mission to assist our Transitional Aged Youth. What we cannot do alone, we can do together. The best way to address homelessness is to provide education and services. What better time to do that than when they are young? We can end chronical homelessness before it even begins.” Jimmy Waldron, Executive Director, High Desert Homeless Services
“I was so impressed with the City of Victorville Planning Commissioners who were asking questions to understand how we would serve homeless TAY while considering safety measures for clients and community.” – Kevin Mahany, Manager of Health Access at Family Assistance Program, Co-chair of the Desert Region Committee on Homelessness.
