County Office of Homeless Services welcomes Marcus Dillard as new chief

Marcus Dillard, who housed over 900 homeless individuals through Riverside County’s Project Roomkey program and the March Veterans Village, has been named as the new chief of San Bernardino County’s Office of Homeless Services.

“It is truly an honor to welcome Marcus Dillard to San Bernardino County,” said Board of Supervisors Chair and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “As a housing and human services professional with 10 years of experience, Marcus has been recognized for his exceptional work in creating strong teams, executing innovative social service strategies, and delivering notable results. His tireless efforts have improved the quality of life for many of our region’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Dillard, a Marine Corps veteran, recently transitioned from Riverside County as a supervising development specialist overseeing the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, the Encampment Resolution Funding program, CalWORKs, and the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program.

“I am excited about joining the San Bernardino County team and working with our community partners to develop a comprehensive plan to address homelessness throughout the region,” said Dillard. “My goal is to set a standard for quality public service while also increasing our service capacity.”

Dillard said he will focus on creating a seamless delivery experience, which will provide clients with increased access to housing resources and homeless services.

“Ending homelessness will require all levels of the community coming together to support these individuals,” said Dillard. “That’s why our plan is to develop a uniform approach to resolving this crisis.”

His desire to make a difference in the lives of others came from countless interactions with homeless individuals. Before coming to Riverside County, Dillard worked for the United States Veterans Initiative.

“During my employment with U.S. VETS, I conducted community outreaches in San Bernardino County. I spoke to people who looked just like me, who experienced tremendous success, but became impacted by a life-changing event that traumatized them in such a way that they found themselves surviving on the streets,” said Dillard. “Those stories never left my mind even when I transitioned to Riverside County. When this job opportunity presented itself, things began to line up so clearly that I knew this is where I needed to be.”

His other leadership experience includes being selected to coordinate Riverside County’s RivCo 100 project, which supports frequent users of public systems, such as hospitals, prisons and shelters, by providing stable housing. He also managed Riverside County’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program, which provides housing resources for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

His educational background includes earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Fullerton. He is also in the process of completing a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona Global Campus.

In his quest to positively impact others, Dillard said that his two sons are his greatest influences.

“I remember my son Joshua spoke at an awards ceremony recently and without being prompted, he stated he wanted to be like his dad because he helps people,” Dillard said. “At that moment, I realized that children really watch what you do, and the way we serve people gives them an example of how to serve others. I let them know that there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Challenges may intimidate some, but facing and overcoming them will be worth it.”

For more information about the Office of Homeless Services, please visit https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov/. If you would like to become a volunteer for the annual Point in Time Count on January 25, 2024, please visit https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov/community-projects/point-in-time-count/.

Additional County Update News – December 8, 2023