Govern Episode 9 – Streets to Stability

In this episode of Govern, Supervisor Curt Hagman sits down with Marcus Dillard, Director of Homeless Services for San Bernardino County, to discuss one of the most complex challenges facing communities today: homelessness. From emergency shelter and transitional housing to regional collaboration and the development of a new Navigation Center, this conversation explores how San Bernardino County is working to address homelessness through coordinated services, long-term planning, and compassionate intervention. Marcus shares insights from his military and public service background, discusses the realities facing outreach teams on the ground, and explains what it takes to help individuals move from homelessness to stability. Whether you're interested in public policy, community services, public safety, housing, or simply want a better understanding of how local government is addressing homelessness, this episode provides an informative look at the challenges, successes, and future of homelessness services in San Bernardino County. Episode Topics Include: ● Marcus Dillard's journey from military service to leading County Homeless Services (02:08) ● Leadership lessons from the military and public service (03:10) ● The County's role in addressing homelessness and how it differs from state, federal, and city responsibilities (03:31) ● How Homeless Services coordinates programs and resources throughout San Bernardino County ● Understanding emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent housing solutions (06:43) ● Challenges associated with expanding shelter capacity and supportive housing (09:48) ● Measuring success through data, performance metrics, and outcomes (19:52) ● The County's regional strategy for addressing homelessness ● The vision and development of the upcoming Navigation Center ● How centralized services can improve outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness ● What successful transitions from homelessness to stability look like ● Common barriers individuals face when seeking housing and support services (21:04) ● How outreach teams engage with individuals who decline services ● Ways residents can support local homelessness solutions and community efforts (22:41) ● The future of homelessness services in San Bernardino County and the importance of regional collaboration Transcript - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JkVduljnLMsBuJ9_OGboZMK4Sk-X82mhpoxOPPAeH7k/edit?usp=sharing Episode Resources: ● Homeless Partnership / Homeless Services: https://homeless.sbcounty.gov/ ● San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership: https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov/ ● Coordinated Entry System Information: https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov/coordinated-entry-system/ Stay Connected with Curt: ● Website: https://bosd4.sbcounty.gov/ ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supervisorcurthagman ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supervisorcurthagman/ ● X: https://x.com/curthagman ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-hagman/ ● Newsletter: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/CASANBE/subscriber/new?topic_id=CASANBE_10