State grant will help County deal with homeless encampment

San Bernardino County has received an $11 million state grant that it will use to remove a large homeless encampment in San Bernardino.

The funds will help the county’s Office of Homeless Services relocate homeless people in the Highland Avenue Corridor, which runs parallel to the Foothill Freeway in San Bernardino and Highland, according to a statement on the county’s website.

“We are grateful for the [state’s] support on this critical issue,” said Dawn Rowe, board of supervisors chair, in the statement. “Encampments pose a health and safety concern for our residents, and these funds will help restore our community while providing services to those in need.”

The funds, which the county requested in April, are from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. They will be used for outreach, case management and temporary and permanent housing.

The temporary housing will include hotel and motel vouchers to pay for immediate shelter, according to the statement.