TO: LINDA REICH, CITY MANAGER
FROM: SILVIA AVALOS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, PARKS & RECREATION
SUBJECT
title
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of San Bernardino for the Operation of the West End Navigation Center.
end
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
1) Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Chino, County of San Bernardino, and cities of Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, and Upland; 2) approve the City of Chino’s share of $200,000 for each of the first two years for the joint operation of the West End Navigation Center located at 11109 Jasmine Street, Fontana, CA; and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the City.
body
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2025-26 Operating Budget within the City Affordable Housing Fund 310.
CITY OF CHINO MISSION / VISION / VALUES / STRATEGIC ISSUES
The recommendation detailed above further the City’s values and strategic issues that serve as key pillars on which identified priorities, goals, and action plans are built, by fostering:
• Positive City Image
• Responsible Long-Range Planning
• Public Service Excellence through Internal and External Partnerships
|
Revenue: |
Expenditure: 3106210-43650-N6071 |
|
Transfer In: |
Transfer Out: |
BACKGROUND
Homelessness presents increasing public health, safety, and fiscal challenges across the West End region. Encampments in parks, flood channels, freeway underpasses, and other public spaces strain municipal resources and impact quality of life.
The 2025 San Bernardino County Point-in-Time Count documented 3,837 individuals experiencing homelessness countywide, including 2,636 unsheltered individuals living in vehicles, encampments, or other places not meant for habitation. While this reflects a 9.8% decrease from 2024, homelessness remains highly concentrated in several jurisdictions, including:
• Chino: 31 unsheltered individuals
• Chino Hills: 3 unsheltered individuals
• Fontana: 148 unsheltered individuals (37% chronically homeless).
• Montclair: 38 unsheltered individuals
• Ontario: 256 unsheltered individuals.
• Rancho Cucamonga: 64 unsheltered individuals.
• Rialto: 52 unsheltered individuals.
• Upland: 33 unsheltered individuals.
Together, these West End cities account for over 550 unsheltered individuals, underscoring the urgent need for a regional response that no single city could manage alone. 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 of Fontana has purchased the building, retained an architect, and the project is currently under construction. The anticipated opening date is January 2026.
On August 11, 2025, City staff also presented and discussed Chino’s participation in the West End Navigation Center with the Housing Committee.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
The West End Navigation Center (WENC) 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.
The core features of the WENC include a total of 200 beds for unsheltered individuals, including 100 emergency shelter beds and 100 recuperative medical care beds in addition to a sobering center. The operations of the WENC will be 24/7 where the residents remain in place and their stability is prioritized. Individuals will be accepted based on referrals only and all entries and exits are coordinated for safety and continuity.
The WENC is a one-stop service model, which addresses behavioral health, substance use services, public health, transitional assistance, and workforce development. It will also provide comprehensive support, including meals, intensive case management, benefits enrollment, and employment services.
The establishment of the WENC outperforms other options in that traditional shelters often impose strict requirements, such as sobriety and no pets. They have limited services and require residents to leave during the day, disrupting stability. Motel vouchers provide short-term relief, but are expensive, lack on-site services, and do not create pathways to permanent housing. Navigation centers like the WENC provide stable 24/7 housing, intensive case management, integrated health and social services, and a direct pathway to permanent housing.
The WENC will provide great benefits for communities, including a reduction in street encampments, improved public safety and community well-being, shared infrastructure lowering costs for each city; and leveraging county, state, and healthcare resources for maximum impact.
San Bernardino County is investing $20 million to acquire the building fully improved from the City of Fontana. San Bernardino County’s operating reserves are $5 million in Capitalized Operating Subsidy Reserve (COSR). The annual operations will cost $3 million, which will be shared by San Bernardino County and the participating cities. The cost allocation will be reviewed every two (2) years and adjusted for population changes and grant funding. The city contributions include:
1. Chino: $200,000
2. Chino Hills: $200,000
3. Fontana: $1,000,000
4. Montclair: $250,000
5. Ontario: $250,000
6. Rancho Cucamonga: $300,000
7. Rialto: $250,000
8. Upland: $250,000
9. San Bernardino County Contribution: $475,000
The City of Chino’s portion of $200,000 will contribute to the operations of the WENC and would guarantee five (5) emergency beds. The WENC will provide immediate access to emergency beds that are not always available through other resources. They will take on the wrap around case management services for those individuals, effectively expanding the capability and capacity of the City of Chino Homeless Outreach Team comprised of the Community Services, Parks & Recreation Homeless Outreach Coordinator/Assistant Coordinator and Chino Police Department Quality-of-Life Team.
Furthermore, it will allow City staff to dedicate more time and energy towards outreach and provide the ability to connect to a greater number of homeless individuals. The WENC will benefit the City of Chino by helping those with chronic issues who need 24/7 support to rehabilitate them and get them out of the streets. This regional partnership will improve the lives of homeless individuals overall and enhance the quality of life in Chino.
Over the past several months, City staff and the City Attorney's office have been in ongoing discussions with the County regarding a variety of deal points in the WENC MOU, including the right for Chino to terminate the agreement early without penalty, instead of the full 10-year term. The County indicated that the minimum contribution and 10-year term are non-negotiable. The County further states that a full-term commitment from all participating cities is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Navigation Center because the facility's funding, staffing, and operating contracts are structured around this 10-year horizon.
The County did respond to a number of concerns raised by the City in previous drafts of the MOU. The County revised the indemnity clause to provide that the County will indemnify the City for all negligent and wrongful acts of the County and its vendors, except if caused by the City's active or sole negligence. The County also agreed to defend the City from such lawsuits. Further, the County also included a termination provision in the MOU that does not require unanimity but rather requires six of the eight cities and the County to agree to terminate so that one city cannot hold all parties to the agreement.
Attachment: West End Navigation Center - MOU