Project Roomkey has brought in more than 10,000 Angelenos during the greatest public health threat in a generation, which resulted in 4,400 permanent housing placements and has been an. According to CaSonya Thomas, San Bernardino County Human Gov. It's been many, many years since we saw this much snow in our mountains. Service providers are also allowed to use emergency money from the state, including Homeless Emergency Aid Program, or HEAP, grants, to house homeless who arent considered high risk but still need somewhere to shelter in place. secure at least 300 units throughout the county in multiple communities as SACRAMENTO Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California has become the first state in the nation to secure FEMA approval to provide safe isolation capacity for tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness in California in order to protect them and the state from COVID-19. Project Roomkey is a collaborative effort by the state, county and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to secure hotel and motel rooms for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness. Nearly half (43.5%) of unsheltered adults were chronically homeless, which is defined as being homeless for one year or more and having a disabling condition such as mental illness, chronic health condition, and a physical disability. State is securing thousands of isolation rooms in hotels and motels for extremely vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness to help flatten the curve & preserve hospital capacity, California is the first in the nation to secure FEMA approval for 75 percent federal cost-share for this life-saving mission & create a model for other states, National Alliance to End Homelessness:Project Roomkey sets a strong example, Chef Jos Andrss World Central Kitchen to provide meals to individuals experiencing homelessness living in some hotels. Success! There are They are: The county placed 50 high-risk homeless in a hotel in San Bernardino. 2023 San Bernardino County | CountyWire | Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Login, San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership website. We need to show G6 Hospitality, corporate owners of the Motel 6, and the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors that we oppose this program as proposed that will disproportionately and adversely impact our community, he said. The . While HUD requires communities to conduct a point-in-time count every other year, San Bernardino County conducts the count annually to better monitor and respond to homeless trends and identify subpopulations that require specific attention. The Countys goal is to We also must provide wraparound services such as mental health care, addiction treatment, financial counseling and other aid that helps people rebuild their lives. In March, the state sent 20 trailers to the park in the unincorporated community of Devore to shelter homeless who tested positive for COVID-19 or were suspected of having the disease. The Project formally started ending stays at hotels in August, but has been expanding ends of stays to other hotels this month. However, the unsheltered population decreased by one, from 2,390 in 2020 to 2,389 this year. The ), This new program will build on the success of Project Roomkey, which provided temporary housing to our most vulnerable residents -- not only protecting them, but also promoting public health by reducing spread of the virus in the community, said San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. Applicants should also work with their Emergency Services partners in applying for a FEMA Public Assistance subgrant. The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues to take advantage of a statewide program that targets assistance to the most vulnerable and reduces community spread of COVID-19. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. Join to view profile . "This new program will build on the success of Project Roomkey, which provided temporary housing to our most vulnerable residents -- not only protecting them, but also promoting public health. It provides a way for people who dont have a home to stay inside to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It provides a way for people who dont have a home to stay inside to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Fund is providing $550 million for the program, with the remaining $50 million coming from the states general fund. San Bernardino County houses about 200 homeless, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), San Bernardino County houses about 200 homeless people during coronavirus crisis, There are many ways to fight writers block, find inspiration, A.K. More than one-fourth (27%) of adults and children counted as homeless in 2022 became homeless for the first time during the 12 months prior to the Feb. 24 count. Our news is free on LAist. Its also going to highlight all of the partners that have been deeply committed, especially over the last two years, in delivering hope every day.. Project Roomkey: In November, the state providedSan Bernardino County with an additional $1.8 million for Project Roomkey (PRK) activities, with an emphasis on . Referrals for the hotels go to the Sheriff . Peers showed up day in and day out (during a pandemic nonetheless) and helped more than 700 people feel a sense of connection during a time when isolation was the goal. The fact that we have not seen an increase in our unsheltered homeless population in the midst of a historic economic downturn shows that the County and our partners have done a remarkable job of getting people into housing who would otherwise be living on the streets, said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. Copyright 2023 California Department of Social Services, Statewide Program Guidance on COVID Response and Homeless Assistance Services, Fiscal Year 2021-22 Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy Program Allocation, Project Roomkey (PRK) Allocations Available For Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22, Resources and Guidance for Eviction and Homelessness Prevention, Joint Letter to Continue Non-Congregate Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness, Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy Funding Announcement and Guidance, Continued Provision of Timely Access to and Receipt of Benefits and Services to Clients During an Emergency or Disaster, CalWORKs, RCA/ECA, TCVAP, CalFresh, Housing and Homelessness Programs Guidance Regarding The California Wildfires, Issuance of CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Benefits During COVID-19, Interim Housing and Homelessness Program Guidance and Recommendations on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Interim Housing and Homeless Program Guidance and Recommendations on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Systemwide Planning and Response Resources COVID for Homeless Services Providers, CA Mass Care and Shelter Guidance for Local Governments in a Communicable or Infectious Diseases Environment, CA Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) Key State COVID Guidance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to COVID, Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness from COVID, COVID in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups, Resources to Support People Experiencing Homelessness, National Framework for an Equitable COVID Homelessness Response, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) COVID Resources, Non-Congregate Approaches to Sheltering for COVID Homeless Response, Send Red, Not Blue: Recommendations on Working with Homeless Families and Individuals in Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery, Disaster Guide for People Experiencing Homelessness (Listos CA), Housing for the Harvest: Housing for Agricultural Workers, CA Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming (STOP), CA Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), CA Public Housing Authority (PHA) Contacts, National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), Federal Programs that Support People Experiencing Homelessness, CA State Eviction Protections Training for Community Partners, CA COVID-19 Information Map for Tenants and Landlords, Homelessness Prevention Guide: Creating Programs that Work, Planning a Housing Surge to Accelerate Rehousing Efforts in Response to COVID-19, Supporting Individuals Exiting Isolation or Quarantine (HUD), Rehousing Out of Non-congregate Shelter(HUD): Maximizing Placements, High Acuity: Transition from Short-term to Long-term Subsidy (HUD), Second 100-Day Challenge to Address Homelessness is Underway, Guide to Strategic Uses of Key State and Federal Funds to Reduce Homelessness During COVID, Federal Funding Priority Order for Non-Congregate Shelter During COVID (HUD), Federal Programs that Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness (USICH, HHS, HUD, FEMA), Webinar Recording: Maximizing Funding for Non-Congregate Shelter Opportunities: Californias Project Roomkey, CARES Act Guidance for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Elected Officials (NAEH), COVID: Federal Resource Guideline Series (NAEH), US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HCD)-administered Community Planning and Development (CPD) Funds, CPD Local Cross-Program Funding Matrix and Dashboard Reports, Mainstream Vouchers Non-Competitive Opportunity for Additional Vouchers, US Department of Treasury Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), CA Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) COVID Response and Other (Non-CARES Act) Grants, CA Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Non-entitlement Funds, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG-CV), FEMA Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) Reimbursement Guidance, Project Roomkey FEMA Reimbursement FAQ-2nd Edition (June 8, 2020), Emergency Non-Congregate Shelter: Approval and Reimbursement of Costs FAQ, Memorandum to Extend Federal Support to Governors Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 and to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States, Governors Project Roomkey 100 Percent FEMA Reimbursement Letter (January 29, 2021), Governor Newsom Project Roomkey Letter for Ongoing FEMA Approval (December 18, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (November 30, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (October 30, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (October 1, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (August 29, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (July 30, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (July 1, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (June 1, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Extension (April 29, 2020), Project Roomkey: FEMA Approval Letter for Local Governments (April 2, 2020), Project Roomkey FEMA Approval Letter (March 27, 2020), Project Roomkey Key Guidance and Resources, Public Health Guidance for Project Roomkey Sites Serving Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and At Higher Risk of Serious Illness, Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response, Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness from COVID (CDC), COVID in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups (CDC), Leveraging Integrated Data to Support and Enhance COVID-19 Response (HUD), Advancing Racial Equity through Assessments and Prioritization (HUD), Screening and Documentation Training Webinar Recording, Screening and Documentation Training Powerpoint, Project Roomkey Sample High-Risk Self-Certification, Project Roomkey Sample Standard Intake Tracking Template, HMIS NCS (Working) Project Set-up Information, Project Roomkey/Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) & Homelessness Resources By-Subject, CDC Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to COVID, CDC Considerations for Alternate Care Sites (e.g., hotels/motels), Statewide Mass Care and Shelter Guidance for Local Governments in a Communicable or Infectious Diseases Environment, American Red Cross Project Roomkey Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) Training, Project Roomkey Strategies for Rural Communities PowerPoint, Federal Programs that Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, State-Contracted Food Vendor: World Central Kitchen, Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness (DHCS), Prevention and Harm Reduction Services For Project Roomkey Residents (CDPH), Prevention and Harm Reduction Services for Project Roomkey Residents (CDPH), Reducing Harm for People Using Drugs & Alcohol During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Guide for Alternate Care Sites Programs, Medication-Assisted Treatment and Telehealth (DHCS), Guidance for Project Roomkey Sites Serving Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and At Higher Risk of Serious Illness (CDPH), Use of Personal Protective Equipment during COVID (CDPH, CDPH Guidance on Optimizing Use of Personal Protective Equipment (CDPH), Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE and Equipment (CDC), Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC), Cleaning and Waste Management Considerations for Residences (CDPH), Co-Sheltering Collaborative: Guidelines for Co-Sheltering, Guidance on Co-Sheltering People and Animals: Considerations and Resources, Governor Newsom Statement on Extended Federal Support for Local Governments Participating in Project Roomkey, Im Going To Be Here For Awhile: One Mans Journey From The Streets To A New Home, Assessment of a Hotel-Based COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Strategy for Persons Experiencing Homelessness, Governor Newsom Statement on Increased Federal Support from Biden-Harris Administration for COVID-19 Relief Programs in California, Governor Newsom Announces Emergency Allocation of $62 Million to Local Governments to Protect People Living in Project Roomkey Hotels (November 16, 2020), At West Sacramento Motel Where he Launched Project Roomkey in April, Governor Newsom Announces the Site will Become a Homekey Location as Part of the Seventh and Final Round of Awards (October 19, 2020), Governor Newsom Visits Project Roomkey Site in Santa Clara County to Highlight Progress on the States Initiative to Protect Homeless Individuals from COVID-19 (June 30, 2020), Governor Newsom visits Project Roomkey Site in Santa Clara County to Highlight Progress on the States Initiative to Protect People Experiencing Homelessness (April 18, 2020), At Newly Converted Motel, Governor Newsom Launches Project Roomkey: A First-in-the-Nation Initiative to Secure Hotel & Motel Rooms to Protect Homeless Individuals from COVID-19 (April 3, 2020), Governor Newsom Takes Executive Action to Establish a Statewide Moratorium on Evictions (Mar 27, 2020), California Secures Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to Support States COVID-19 Emergency Response (March 22, 2020), Governor Newsom Takes Emergency Actions & Authorizes $150 Million in Funding to Protect Homeless Californians from COVID-19 (March 18, 2020), US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Resources, National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) Prevention Resources, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rehousing Resources, To submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA), visit the, Project Roomkey Screening and Documentation Training, State-Contracted Security Vendors (contact, Worker Protections/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Homekey converts commercial properties and other existing buildings to permanent or interim housing, including but not limited to, hotels, motels, hostels, single-family homes and multifamily apartments, adult residential facilities, and manufactured homes. The potential long term use of this site should concern all of us and is an attack on local control.. The purpose of Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy was to provide non-congregate shelter options, such as hotels and motels, for people experiencing homelessness, to protect human life, and to minimize strain on health care system capacity. Each day's obituaries, delivered to your inbox. Local governments to date have secured 6,867 hotel and motel rooms for this purpose. endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 872 0 obj <>/Metadata 30 0 R/Pages 124 0 R/StructTreeRoot 125 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 916 0 obj <> stream The San Bernardino Mountains continue to get buried in snow from a series of winter storms. Since he began covering Inland Empire governments in 2010, he's written about a city entering bankruptcy and exiting bankruptcy; politicians being elected, recalled and arrested; crime; a terrorist attack; fires; ICE; fights to end homelessness; fights over the location of speed bumps; and people's best and worst moments. "Our model's purpose is prioritizing the homeless population along with that policy outline." 26 people have been placed in a San Bernardino hotel and the County is working on agreements with other lodging facilities in cities throughout the county to house additional homeless individuals and families. CDSS recommends prioritizing this resource in a manner consistent with state and federal public health guidance, and FEMA Reimbursement Eligibility Criteria, for people experiencing homelessness which includes people who have tested positive for COVID 19, have been exposed to COVID 19, or are high risk of health complications. Along with Gas Tax funds, the County receives an annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds for expenditure on projects that benefit and improve low- and moderate-income areas. The purpose of Project Roomkey -Hotels was to provide non-congregate isolation assistance for our County's homeless residents that were 65+ and/or had a chronic . throughout the county to house additional homeless individuals and families. Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis Signs Legislation to Support States COVID-19 Preparedness, PHOTOS: Governor Newsom Visits Diablo Canyon Power Plant, More Time to File State Taxes for Californians Impacted by December and January Winter Storms, Governor Newsom on Read Across America Day: While Other States Ban Books, Were Helping Students Read, Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in 13 Counties Due to Winter Storms, Activates California Guard. Badar said he thinks that the motels withdrawal means that no hotels in the city will be used to house homeless people, although he cant speak for others who might try to revive the plan. To provide safer options during the COVID-19 pandemic, Project Roomkey isolation units serve three critical public health purposes: The local governments are responsible for identifying which shelter clients or encampment residents are selected for these hotel isolation placements and transporting them to the hotels for intake. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. They are highly trained listeners and connectors, who give space and empathy for someone to feel truly heard and can then suggest and provide resources to help people accomplish their desired goals. endstream endobj 875 0 obj <> stream Content Copyright 1969-2017. Construction Manager, Project Delivery at San Bernardino County Transportation Authority United States. racist or sexually-oriented language. - El Chicano, Colton Courier, Rialto Record, IE Weekly / All Rights Reserved. 58 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[36 40]/Info 35 0 R/Length 109/Prev 155116/Root 37 0 R/Size 76/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Project Roomkey will target hotels in counties with significant homeless populations that are also experiencing high concentrations of COVID-19 transmission. The company couldnt be reached immediately Saturday. In this season of gratitude,We thank you for your support. Peers performed exceptionally brave work to make sure our local homeless population was emotionally sheltered, and not just physically sheltered. homeless individuals will recognize the county and the communitys commitment Signup today! So far, at least 23 hotel or motel sites have been used to house 1,800 individuals . To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left. Federal Emergency Management Agency funds will be available to reimburse counties for their efforts. Through various funding sources such as Project Roomkey; Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP); HHAP CV funds and Continuum of Care, the region has assisted with housing and sheltering 2,000 unduplicated individuals since March 2020, nearly 800 of whom were referred to permanent housing. This years count also found 209 more sheltered persons those living in shelters and transitional housing than were found in 2020, an increase of more than 28 percent, which demonstrates the Countys success in creating additional shelter space for our homeless population. Thats the starting point working with those hotels quickly as possible to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the unsheltered This unique opportunity requires us to move quickly, in close collaboration with our city and county partners, to protect the most vulnerable people in our state.. Provide isolation capacity for individuals experiencing homelessness who are COVID-19 positive, but who dont need hospitalization. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP). This is the mechanism by which local governmentsand tribes will seek FEMA reimbursementfor eligibleProject Roomkeyexpenses. Mayor: Hotel owner pulling out of plan to house, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Mayor: Hotel owner pulling out of plan to house homeless at a Motel 6 in San Dimas, Serial killer, convicted in LA, now suspected of killing prison cellmate, LA County supervisors OK biggest-ever budget $609.7 million to help homeless, A conversation with ChatGPT on the Inland Empires economy, San Bernardino mountain residents frustrated after volunteer helicopter efforts are restricted. Join to view profile San Bernardino County Transportation . It depends how you view it. Once the State order has been lifted, those Without these isolation units, their only choice is to return to a congregate shelter setting or back to an encampment both of which would lead to further spread of COVID-19. Finding shelter for homeless families and individuals is only part of the picture, said Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford, who serves on the Countys Interagency Council on Homelessness. Project Roomkey Program and Rehousing Strategy is administered locally and eligibility varies by community. 2023 Southern California Public Radio - All Rights Reserved. Use the 'Report' link on Posted 2 days ago. Haven can be a helping hand, or help to feel whole again. During Project Roomkey, Ventura County housed over 400 homeless people in four motels, including two in the city of Ventura. The count showed a 6.6 percent increase in the total number of homeless, sheltered and unsheltered, which is a vast improvement over the 20 percent increase shown in 2020. Go to the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools website at www.sbcss.k12.ca.us; click on Human Resources; scroll down then click on . You have permission to edit this article. Los Angeles County was not available for additional comment Friday. The $10 billion project investment will also yield economic benefits. Unprecedented in scale, it was seen as ambitious, even. 75 0 obj <>stream Going up there right now isn't safe, but here are some places where you can enjoy the view and snap a pic. So while we often think of our home as our haven, we are reminded that haven can be a safe place to sleep or an empathetic ear so you feel seen and connected when the world is forcing disconnection in the name of safety. San Dimas mayor Emmett Badar told protestors at the end of the rally that Motel 6s parent company is planning on pulling out of the Project Roomkey program. Rs7\SK+?+M}V7~Vsq0Nb6F?2yPhJ These emergency protective measures will protect public health by isolating the medically vulnerable, thinning out the shelter population for social distancing, slowing the rate of spread of COVID-19 and, in turn, flattening the curve. %%EOF Project Roomkey is a collaborative effort by the State, County and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to secure hotel and motel rooms for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness. In alignment with Governor Gavin Newsoms Project Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Project Homekey Looks to Help Homeless with Housing San Bernardino County is submitting applications for grants to fund the purchase and rehabilitation of properties that will be converted into interim or permanent housing for many of our most vulnerable homeless residents. positive or COVID-19 exposed but do not require hospitalization or ready for hospital for Project Roomkey is managed at the county level. The dedication and innovation they bring into the fight against homelessness is making a measurable difference in this effort to end human misery, Hernandez said. The city of Los Angeles, as of last month, did not have any reimbursement. Gavin Newsom's Project Roomkey model to temporarily house higher risk . Threats of harming another The state legislature made $150 million for emergency homelessness aid available . The second-leading answer was Victorville (6%). population along with that policy outline.. County Department of Public Health and the Hospital Association to be placed in About 200 homeless individuals have been housed in San Bernardino County during the . Vienna also argues that if the project secures all 118 rooms at the Motel 6, at least 91% of the participants will be from outside of our city., The shopping center where this motel is located has a pizza parlor and other restaurants often used by Little League Teams, School Athlete Programs, and other organizations, Vienna said in the news release. The citys first priority is to stop contract negotiations between the County and G6 Hospitality, according to Vienna and Badar. Dear reader, we're asking you to help us keep local news available for all. The number of people treated at Glen Helen is fluid, as the county helps those who have recovered transition to permanent shelter, Thomas said. San Bernardino County received over $13 million from the state for Homekey projects which include: an 8unit project in the Mountain Region- (5 now occupied) , a 76-unit Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy is designed to quickly provide dedicated resources to ensure Project Roomkey units remain online through the continued public health emergency and that homelessness is non-recurring. COVID had provided us an extraordinary opportunity to put our homeless services training to work in an entirely new way, and we are proud to have been a partner to make such dramatic, but lasting change for so many. comfort of a shelters four walls. 36 0 obj <> endobj Any individual that enters the site must pass a health screening to not put at-risk occupants in any danger. Project Roomkey is in the process of determining the appropriate ramp down schedule. County of San Bernardino unveiled 20 state-funded trailers set up at Glen Helen individuals, who once declined the offer for immediate supportive housing, now, San Bernardino County is submitting applications for grants to fund the purchase and rehabilitation of properties that will be converted into interim or permanent housing for many of the county's most vulnerable homeless residents. Project Roomkey," Thomas explained. Were working hard with our county partners to get these hotels up and running as rapidly as possible.. Each trailer can house one person or a family of two. Here's Where To Maximize The View (And Snap A Great Picture), A Los Angeles Family Seeks Answers And Accountability After Black Mom Dies In Childbirth, A Brief History Of Why It Does Occasionally Snow In LA. endstream endobj 873 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 124 0 R/Resources 886 0 R/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 874 0 obj <> stream She listed the organizations who have housed homeless during the crisis. Under the proposal, Los Angeles County would tap the motel at 502 W. Arrow Highway for Project Roomkey, a state initiative to house homeless individuals in hotels during the coronavirus crisis. While allocating more funding for Project Roomkey helps in the short-term, I look forward to collaborative budget discussions with the Administration about reducing homelessness, focusing on smart investments and long-term housing solutions," said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. . If they cannot do that, Vienna said Friday he hopes they can reach a reasonable settlement and ensure the site is not turned into a long-term homeless shelter or similar facility.. The county is following Gov. Project Roomkey will target hotels in counties with significant homeless populations that are also experiencing high concentrations of COVID-19 transmission. After previously seeing increases in the number of unsheltered homeless people, this year the county saw a net decrease of one unsheltered person and a dramatic increase in the number of those in housing and shelters, demonstrating the success of the County-led efforts to provide housing options for the homeless. County is working on agreements with other lodging facilities in cities San Bernardino County has, as of Friday, placed 231 homeless people in hotel and motel rooms and trailers, while Riverside County has sheltered 318 people with hopes of helping more by the. Project Roomkey was established in March 2020 as part of the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was an error processing your request. Project Room Key was developed to provide temporary housing to people experiencing homelessness with the goal of reducing spread during the initial COVID case spike, and providing a safe space for anyone infected to recover.