Upgrades to San Bernardino care facility get $1.4 million boost from IEHP

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) committed $1.4 million in Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP) funding toward the completion of a Community Wellness Campus in the heart of San Bernardino.

The site at 1354 N. G St. will provide 140 modular interim housing units and support services for chronically homeless men, veterans, previously incarcerated individuals, and persons living with HIV/AIDS. The HHIP funds from IEHP helped ensure the timely construction of the campus’ interim housing facility.

“Transforming lives is only made possible by coming together for one common purpose,” said IEHP Vice President of Population Health & CalAIM Dr. Takashi Wada. “We hope that by bringing care services directly to the community we will see a positive ripple effect that creates strong, lasting change.”

Upgrades to the Community Wellness Campus were made possible through a collaboration with the city of San Bernardino, nonprofit developer DignityMoves, the County’s Community Development and Housing Department (CDH), and Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, the site’s operator.

Campus advancements were funded through a $34.9 million Homekey grant provided by the state through its Housing and Community Development Department.

Homekey grants help state, regional and local public entities convert commercial properties or existing buildings to permanent or interim housing for target populations.

Upgrades to the San Bernardino space include:

• A large industrial kitchen
• A computer lab and intake center
• Onsite case management services
• Mental health and psychiatric services

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California hopes to expand care services at newly opened campuses in Orange, Riverside, Ventura and San Diego counties as part of a planned two-phased initiative.

“The San Bernardino community campus is the fulfillment of a promise that was made long ago, made possible through [many] partnerships who believed this community was worth investing in,” said Lutheran Social Services of Southern California President and Chief Executive Officer LaSharnda Beckwith. “This is not simply a building. [It is] a place where a person can find shelter, yes, but also medical care, workforce training, food security and a pathway to permanent housing.”

To learn more about the project, go to www.communitywellnesscampus.org.

For more on IEHP and its work to transform lives through improved care services, visit www.iehp.org.

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 5 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the sixth year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work®. Founded in 1996, IEHP supports 1.4 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). IEHP also offers Covered California plans, further ensuring healthcare access for even more IE residents. Today, IEHP has a robust network of quality doctors throughout our two counties and nearly 3,800 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to iehp.org.