The City of Palm Springs, in collaboration with Martha’s Village and Kitchen, has launched a temporary shelter to aid unhoused residents during the winter season. The initiative received approval from the City Council at a council meeting last week.
In a press release issued by the city, it was stated that the shelter commenced operations on Dec. 15 at the Palm Springs Access Center, situated at 225 S. El Cielo Road. The facility will remain functional until March 15, 2024. The shelter provides 20 beds on a first-come-first-served basis and operates daily from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Complimentary dinner, breakfast, and hygiene items are also available for those in need.
As per Martha’s Village & Kitchen's website, this organization is among Coachella Valley’s most significant providers of services for homeless and impoverished individuals. Operational since 1990, Martha’s Village & Kitchen offers a broad spectrum of services ranging from emergency housing and assistance to food and healthcare provisions. It operates five locations across Coachella Valley; however, the range of services varies at each branch.
According to data from the most recent Homeless Point-in-Time Count (HPITC), conducted on January 25, 2023 by Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions Department in conjunction with Continuum of Care, there was an increase in the county's homeless population from 3,316 in 2022 to 3,725 in 2023 – an uptick of approximately 12%. Out of these 3,725 homeless individuals, as many as 2,441 were unsheltered while the remaining 1,284 were housed in shelters. The survey further revealed that families with children witnessed a rise in homelessness by about 22%, transitional aged youth saw an increase by around 35%, and seniors aged above or equal to 62 experienced a hike of 47%.