Relocation plans for Roy’s of the Desert set for next year

For the homeless, where people can go at night is a major concern for the city of Palm Springs. A contract that helps maintain the homeless shelter is set to expire by next year, forcing relocation.

“People deserve to have housing,” Palm Springs city council woman Ginny Foat said. At Roy’s of the Desert, people with nowhere to go can turn here for the night. The only issue is it’s more than two and half miles from the nearest bus stop. “It’s really difficult to get to if you don’t have transportation or if you miss their bus or van so a more central location would be ideal,” Food Not Bombs of Palm Springs Krystle Vega said. The shelter is funded by the city of Palm Springs but the contract with Jewish Family Services of San Diego to keep the facility’s doors open will end by June of next year. This has prompted Coachella Valley city leaders to find a new shelter.

“We need to get it to a location where the money can go to help people rather than to bus people around,” Palm Springs City Councilor Geoff Kors said.

The contract may be up, but Foat said this end gives room to create a new facility with mental health resources in an accessible location.

“We’re looking at Cathedral City, we’re looking at Palm Springs and we’re looking at Desert Hot Springs. So all the cities are getting together and talking about it,” Foat said. “I think that Roy’s is a very valuable resource and so I think one of the most important things we can do is make sure that they are able to offer their resources,” Vega said.

City leaders say the new facility will be available day and night with mental health services.

A search for a new location is underway.