Resources and safety outreach for homeless and unhoused in Morongo Basin
As nights in the hi-desert get cold, local agencies are reminding residents and those without shelter that help is available throughout the Morongo Basin.
The Sheriff’s Department’s message is simple: take advantage of the services offered.
Jenny Smith, Public Information Officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, says that outreach teams work throughout the year to connect unhoused residents with resources across the region.
“We always want people to take the services that are offered,” Smith said. “In the Morongo Basin, there’s the Morongo Basin Haven in Yucca Valley, part of the ARCH program, that provides housing and help during cold weather.”
Where to Find Help
- Morongo Basin Haven / ARCH Housing Program
Location: Yucca Valley
Access through: 2-1-1 or local outreach referral
Provides short-term housing, case management, and cold-weather shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
ARCH stands for: Access to Resources for Community Housing - Call 2-1-1 San Bernardino County’s central resource line
24-hour free, confidential service connecting callers to food, housing, healthcare, and mental-health support.
Phone: 2-1-1 | Website: https://211sb.org - Wayne Hamilton / Morongo Unified School District Homeless Youth Program
Mike Jones, Public Affairs Officer with the Sheriff’s Department, said Hamilton’s work is vital:
He goes out into the desert, finds those families and individuals, brings them supplies, and helps connect them with services.
Jones stresses that local schools play a crucial role in helping children experiencing housing insecurity.
“The schools make sure kids have access to breakfast, lunch, and even supper,” he said. “For some students, those might be the only meals they get that day.”
For Families at Risk
The Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) in Yucca Valley assists families with applying for benefits, motel vouchers, and long-term housing programs aimed at keeping families together.
- TAD Office — Yucca Valley
56357 Pima Trail, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Phone: (909) 388-0245
Health and Outreach
The Sheriff’s Department’s HOPE Team, Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement, along with the INROADS Program, Interagency Resource Officers Assisting Desert Shelterless, collaborate with Behavioral Health, Public Health nurses, and Alcohol & Drug counselors to reach people in remote areas. These multidisciplinary teams provide medical transport, mental health referrals, and connect individuals to recovery and housing services.
“It’s really about building trust so people can get the help they need,” Smith said.
Safety Reminder
Officials warn against lighting open fires for warmth. Fires are especially dangerous during windy desert nights. Instead, they advise seeking shelter or calling outreach services through 2-1-1 before temperatures become dangerously low.
As winter begins, neighbors who see someone in need can make a difference with a kind word, a referral, or a call for help. Trust, Smith says, is often the first step toward safety.
- Hope (Homeless Outreach and Proactive 909 387-0623
- InnRoads 909 387-7406
- San Bernardino County Community Service 909 473-2602
- San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services 909 501-0610
