County partners with Housing Authority to expand support for young adults and families

A group of people standing on a street in front of an apartment building. — Office of Homeless Services (OHS) Chief Marcus Dillard (second from left) and Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) Deputy Executive Director Rishad Mitha (fifth from left) are joined by staff from both agencies at the Echo Apartments in San Bernardino.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has approved a contract with the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) to provide transitional workforce housing at Echo Apartments in San Bernardino for young adults and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

According to the 2026 Point-in-Time Count report, 174 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 were experiencing homelessness, including 108 who were sheltered and 66 who were unsheltered. Addressing homelessness among youths remains a top county priority, particularly among young people transitioning into adulthood from foster care, unstable living conditions or other systems of care.

“This action is an important step in strengthening our response to youth homelessness in the county,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “This partnership will expand housing opportunities and supportive services for young adults and families as they work toward long-term housing stability and financial independence.”

The Echo Apartments program will serve young adults ages 18 to 24 and families with at least one member between the ages of 12 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The program is designed to help young adults overcome barriers and secure stable housing and employment during their transition to adulthood. The contract runs through June 30, 2029.

HACSB will make up to four units available at any given time based on program needs and provide leasing oversight and property management. The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) will support participants through rental assistance and housing stabilization, as well as services to help participants secure employment, increase their income and transition to permanent housing.

“Young people leaving foster care and other support systems can face significant challenges as they transition to adulthood,” said OHS Chief Marcus Dillard. “The program will give participants greater stability so they can focus on gaining workforce experience and obtaining permanent housing.”

The program will be funded through the Capitalized Operating Subsidy Reserve, which the board approved on May 19. Funding for the reserve comes from the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, which provides block grants to local jurisdictions to support housing assistance, regional coordination and services for homeless individuals. A portion of each HHAP allocation is designated as a Youth Set-Aside to address the needs of young people ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness, including those exiting foster care or justice involvement.

For more information about county programs and services to prevent and reduce homelessness, please visit sbchp.sbcounty.gov.

Additional County Update News – September 17, 2026