Large-Scale Palm Springs Unhoused Facility To Host Ribbon-Cutting

PALM SPRINGS, CA — To mark the completion of the second phase of a large-scale facility for unhoused people in Palm Springs, the city is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Sept. 30.

Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, Rep. Ken Calvert, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and Assemblyman Greg Wallis will be among those speaking at the unveiling of the housing project, which is at 3589 McCarthy Road.

While the the campus opened for early entry in March, 80 independent prefabricated modular units which will offer studio, one and two bedroom living areas are now available. All will include kitchenettes and restrooms. Sixty-five units are reserved for unhoused residents and five units are designated for families. An additional 10 units are for unhoused transitional-aged youth.

Green space, a children's play area and a dog park are also on the property.

A final chunk of funding was approved for the project in January, when the Riverside County Board of Supervisors authorized $7.5 million to cover a gap in funding for the $40 million project. Another $18 million previously came from the county; $8.16 million from the city of Palm Springs and a Homekey Program award of $16 million from the state of California.

“This new Navigation Center will be a game-changer when it comes to providing a full-scale facility for our unhoused residents in need of interim housing and comprehensive wrap-around services. Palm Springs remains committed to finding solutions for our unhoused population,” Bernstein said previously.

However, not everyone is celebrating the incoming shelter. A petition on Change.org gathered 274 signatures of its 500 goal to "Stop the Development of the McCarthy Road Homeless Navigation Center."

Carlos Amaro, who started the petition, wrote about his concerns of the facility's proximity to residents and businesses.

"Don’t be fooled, your gated community is at risk," the petition reads.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Monday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3589 McCarthy Road. Find more information about the project here.