FROM:
Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Memorandum of Understanding between the County of San Bernardino, the City of Fontana, and participating cities for the property located at 11109 Jasmine Street.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Fontana, the County of San Bernardino, and the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, and Upland for the operation of the West End Navigation Center for a term of ten (10) years from the effective date, at an initial annual cost of $1,000,000 to the City of Fontana.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the MOU and related documents necessary to implement participation.
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COUNCIL GOALS:
• Provide a diverse range of housing types and levels of affordability while addressing homelessness in the community by promoting diverse range of housing projects and levels of affordability.
• Provide a diverse range of housing types and levels of affordability while addressing homelessness in the community by address Homelessness through proactive programs, including the efforts of the COAST and MET teams.
• Concentrate on Inter-governmental relations by pursuing financial participation from county, state, and federal governments.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Fontana has identified Homelessness and Homeless prevention as a top priority. To address this need, the County of San Bernardino, and participating cities are developing the West End Navigation Center (WENC), a 200-bed, full-service regional facility located at 11109 Jasmine Street, Fontana. The City acquired the property with the intent to convert the existing facility, through the Tenant Improvement Project, into a Regional Navigation Center. Design is underway with the construction estimated expected to last 9-12 months.
The Navigation Center represents a regional solution that goes beyond traditional shelters or short-term motel vouchers. It is designed as a low-barrier, housing-focused service hub that reduces barriers, provides stability, and connects people directly to permanent housing. Core Features include:
• 200 beds: 100 emergency shelter, 100 recuperative medical care, plus a sobering center.
• 24/7 operations: Residents remain in place; stability is prioritized.
• Referral-only admissions with “No Walk-Ins / No Walk-Offs”: All entries and exits are coordinated for safety and continuity.
• One-stop service model: Behavioral Health, Substance Use Services, Public Health, Transitional Assistance, Workforce Development, and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) for housing navigation and Continuum of Care coordination.
• Low-barrier design: Guests may bring pets, personal belongings, and partners.
• Comprehensive supports: Meals, case management, benefits enrollment, transportation, and employment services.
The County has committed $25M in capital and reserves, reducing local upfront costs with the following financial structure:
• County Capital Investment: $20M projected to acquire the building fully improved from the City of Fontana.
• County Operating Reserve: $5M Capitalized Operating Subsidy Reserve (COSR).
As a participating city, the City of Fontana also serves as the host city. The contributions of the participating cities for the first year of operation of the WENC will be $3.0 million. Contributions are based upon the size and population of each city party and the estimated unhoused population within each. Contributions by city are as follows:
• Chino: Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00)
• Chino Hills: Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00)
• Fontana: One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00)
• Montclair: Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00)
• Ontario: Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) annually for the first three (3) operational years
• Rancho Cucamonga: Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00)
• Rialto: Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00)
• Upland: Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00)
• County: Four Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($475,000.00)
City contributions shall be adjusted annually by the value of the immediately preceding January Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, but not to exceed five percent (5%). Contribution levels will be evaluated every two years and adjusted for the most recent Point-in-Time Count, actual usage, actual cost of WENC operation, and a review of grant funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The annual fiscal impact associated with the approval of this item is $1,000,000 as the City’s allocated cost of the WENC operations once the facility is operational. This was included in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget in account no. 10130000 8130
MOTION:
Approve staff recommendation.