Our Goal

Homelessness is a societal problem experienced by numerous persons who call the High Desert home. It has become prevalent in even the most affluent of areas. The City of Victorville is not immune and has been impacted due to its central location and the availability of needed services.

The City's Homeless Engagement Team's (HET) goal is to promote a positive City image and assist the community by addressing homeless encampments through responsive and proactive engagement. 

Expanded Homeless Outreach and Engagement Efforts

The City of Victorville continues to demonstrate its commitment towards assisting our homeless population, impacted residents and business owners and has expanded outreach efforts by assigning four full-time Homeless Engagement Officers (HEO’s) and a Homeless Engagement Supervisor. Our HET officers continue to establish positive relationships with our unhoused population encouraging them to accept shelter and services.  HET also encourages individuals to take advantage of available local resources like substance abuse counseling, available services to care for their animals, job placement services, legal aid, and other types of whole person care assistance. Our HET officers undergo ongoing extensive crisis intervention training that includes:

• Identifying mental health signs and symptoms
• Identifying signs of dementia
• Recognizing psychiatric medication and resistance
• Understanding homelessness
• Detecting intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Familiarization of community and crisis services
• De-escalation tactics

This refined approach to homeless outreach is an essential community service that will allow our engagement officers to build rapport, trust, and improved communication with our local homeless community and assist impacted residents and business owners. The HET officers work in tandem with Homelessness Solutions and directly with the City’s Wellness Center and Outreach operator to assist unhoused and at-risk individuals with direct and immediate relief from living on the streets while providing them safety and connection to community support services.

Code Enforcement, Anti-Camping, and Public Property

In December 2023, the Victorville City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2445, updating the City’s Municipal Code to address camping and storage of personal property in public spaces. The ordinance is designed to protect public health, safety, and access while ensuring the City complies with recent federal court rulings on homelessness.

Key Points:

• Camping or storing belongings is not allowed in certain public areas, including streets, parks, sidewalks, waterways (such as the Mojave Riverbed), transit hubs, near schools, shelters, or City facilities.

• The ordinance emphasizes health and safety risks caused by encampments, including fire hazards, blocked walkways, unsanitary conditions, and threats to emergency responders.

• The City will only enforce camping restrictions when shelter beds are available, except in sensitive areas that pose immediate risks (like waterways, fire zones, or school zones).

• Personal property collected during encampment cleanups will be stored for up to 90 days so individuals can reclaim their belongings, unless the items are hazardous or abandoned.

• Violations result first in a warning, followed by a small administrative fine ($20), and can escalate to misdemeanor charges if repeated and shelter is available.

• Exceptions are made for permitted camping (such as recreational activities or government-authorized sites).

Why This Matters

The ordinance responds to public safety concerns, rising cleanup costs, and wildfire risks in sensitive areas such as the Mojave Riverbed. It also supports the City’s investment in shelter and housing solutions, including the 170-bed Victorville Wellness Center, ensuring people have safe alternatives before enforcement occurs.

Victorville leaders emphasized that the ordinance is intended to balance compassion with accountability, protecting the dignity of unsheltered residents while safeguarding the community.

San Bernardino County's HOPE Team

Our contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has enabled us to tap into additional resources for our homeless population. The Sheriff's HOPE Team has been a long time partner, helping us identify our homeless, connecting them with vital resources, and getting them the help they need.

San Bernardino County's InnROADS Team

Innovative Remote Onsite Assistance Delivery (InnROADS) is a field-based program that meets, engages, and provides treatment to youth, adults, and families within homeless communities.