Coachella Valley homeless crisis grows

The Coachella Valley’s homeless problem could become worse when Roy’s Desert Resource Center in Palm Springs closes in June, less than three months from now.

Right now, there are no immediate plans to fill the hole Roy’s will leave behind in helping the homeless get back on their feet, and by providing them a place to stay at night in the west valley.

Local leaders are struggling to even agree on a path forward.

Daily shuttles carry people from Roy’s North Palm Springs location back to the city for the day because they can’t stay in its business park miles from the city center.

Roy’s has never been open 24 hours a day, seven days a week as originally intended, due to money problems.

Danny Maxwell has been staying at Roy’s for 5 months, one of 90 people relying on the only west valley shelter.

Maxwell said, “The counselors, the director, the food. You have clean clothes, they wash your clothes, you can take a shower. And you’re secure, you’re safe.” Mawell added, “They care about you. They don’t turn their backs on you.”

Roy’s closure leaves only Indio’s Martha’s Village and Kitchen and the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in providing services, and room and board, for the valley’s homeless.

Mayor Elaine Holmes says the homelessness problem is at a breaking point.

Holmes said, “Until we can start building a facility to the west of us there’s going to be a problem. The problem is going to be huge.”

Holmes says this will impact Palm Springs and spill into other communities, and facilities need to be built.

“We should have had a path by this point,” Holmes said. “This is one or two locations we’re going to look at,” Holmes added.

Sabby Jonathan, the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s Homelessness Chair, agrees.

“We agree, and we’re working on resolving that,” Jonathan said adding there needs to be west valley solution.

“We are at a crisis point. We’ve got less than three months,” Jonathan said. “If we don’t implement alternative housing, there will be 90 or so people without a roof over their head come July first,” Jonathan added.

Jonathan says that won’t happen. But again, there’s no clear post-Roy’s plan.

Riverside county is working with CVAG to provide temporary housing for Roy’s clients.

Palm Desert is looking at giving priority to the homeless for its affordable housing units.

There’s even talk about using hotels to house the homeless temporarily.

Getting all cities to “buy in” to the new CVAG plan may be a challenge.

Indian Wells City Council Member, Ty Peabody said, “They don’t have a plan. They don’t have a site.” He adds, “the question is why should be we believe them when they’ve already proven with the existing Roy’s that they can’t perform.”

Indian Wells City Council Member Ty Peabody says he believes his city’s money is still better spent in the east valley where several successful programs are showing results.

But he also recognizes the need for a new west valley shelter.

Peabody said, “They need help. They can’t handle all of it. There’s no question about that.”

As for Maxwell, he’s just hoping something happens and soon, before this shelter closes.

Maxwell said, “It’s hard when you’re out working, and when you’re trying to find another place.”

CVAG is looking to incorporate successful programs in Indio that help connect homeless people with mental health and other helpful resources.

The programs also help clear away fines and other legal entanglements to help those wanting help to get a leg up at a more normal life off the streets and return to homes of their own.

Jewish Family Services of San Diego is charged with running Roy’s.

KESQ News Channel 3 contacted the agency for comment, but a spokeswoman said any comments would have to be through CVAG.