For over a dozen years, the Morongo Basin Haven has been a valuable resource for the homeless here in the Hi-Desert. But the Haven is dissolving and becoming a new entity, all for good reason. Reporter Heather Clisby has the details …
When Governor Gavin Newsom took office last January, he swore to confront the state’s homeless problem. And so, the Morongo Basin will receive much-needed state funding to address the issue directly, but the state stipulated that the funds must be directed and disseminated by regional entities. As a result, the Morongo Basin Haven was rolled into a new identity as the East Valley Regional Steering Committee.
Wayne Hamilton, the Outreach Coordinator for the Haven and now a co-chair of the EVRS Committee, stated that the Haven simply became redundant, as the new 12-member committee will have the same mission, same monthly meeting schedule and mostly the same people. The only difference will be a more formal meeting, as demanded by the Brown Act, and significantly larger funds on hand. Hamilton stated that the Morongo Basin would receive $310K to use over a five-year period.
All the Morongo Basin cities will be represented, including Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms, in addition to the unincorporated areas and Needles. “This gives us a stronger voice in the County,” said Hamilton. “And the Haven was created to bring awareness about the lack of resources for the homeless and it’s done what it set out to do.”
The first monthly meeting of the East Valley Regional Steering Committee is on March 19 at the JT Sportsman’s Club, 6225 Sunburst Avenue at 10 am.
