Board commits $1 million to aid valley homelessness efforts
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board continued its commitment to support efforts to eliminate homelessness across the Coachella Valley on Tuesday (June 25), approving a $1 million grant for homeless efforts and a $50,000 matching fund to provide shelter for the homeless during hot summer nights.
The seven-figure grant was awarded for the Homelessness Initiative Collective Fund to be utilized to support homeless services in the valley. The District and Foundation Board approved a similar action in 2017 when it created a $2 million Homelessness Initiative Collective Fund. A majority of those funds have been used as a part of a match for $100,000 with contributing valley cities.
In a move to affect immediate change for individuals experiencing homelessness in the western end of the valley, the Board also voted Tuesday to set up a matching opportunity for its Summer Homeless Survival Fund. The fund was launched on June 14 as an easily accessible way for the public to donate to establishing and operating three emergency homeless shelters as an overnight refuge from life-threatening summer temperatures in Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. The District and Foundation will match donations, dollar for dollar, of up to $50,000.
The summer shelters are the result of a combined effort by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments; Riverside County; the cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs; and the Desert Healthcare Foundation. The shelters will be managed by CVAG with staff from the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio.
Learn more about the Summer Homeless Survival Fund at dhcd.org/homelessfund.
About the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation
The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare, housing, food and transportation resources.