Fontana warehouse to be converted into 200-bed homeless shelter  

FONTANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A vacant warehouse in Fontana is set to be transformed into a 200-bed homeless shelter, with local officials highlighting cost savings and expanded services as key benefits of the project.

City and county leaders say the structure is being renovated into a facility designed to provide longer-term assistance for people experiencing homelessness.

Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren emphasized the scale of the building and the city's plans for its future.

"Look how big it is," said Warren. "We're going to fix this up. It's going to be like home and we're going to make it work for people."

Project leaders said repurposing the existing building will make the effort more efficient and cost-effective than constructing a new facility.

"Knowing that we can actually get a building and repurpose it saves us millions of dollars that could go back to services," said Jesse Armendarez, San Bernardino County's Second District supervisor.

San Bernardino County officials said the large footprint will allow them to design a range of services within the space while keeping costs down.

"It gives us a lot of room to build the right resources in here, in a really cost-effective manner," said Diane Rundles, the assistant executive officer for San Bernardino County.

Plans for the shelter include significant interior changes, with features such as a kitchen and designated sections for people with different needs, including those dealing with sobriety issues or mental health challenges.

"We're going to have some areas that are going to be for individuals. We'll have other areas that are for families," Rundles said.

Officials said the facility is intended to provide more than short-term stays. Instead of serving as a temporary overnight shelter, the program will focus on longer-term support.

Access to the facility will also be structured through a referral system rather than walk-ins.

"They're not going to be able to walk (themselves) in or out. They're going to have to, if they choose to come here, they are going to come here through the referral and when they leave, they are going to leave through that same referral," Armendarez said.

The shelter will be operated by San Bernardino County, with financial support coming from eight cities across the region including Chino, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Rialto.

Warren said the regional collaboration reflects the shared impact of homelessness across city boundaries.

"Homelessness doesn't have borders. So, we wanted to make sure the cities around us were taken care of, too. Because my homeless today is Rancho Cucamonga's homeless tomorrow."

Officials expect the facility to be ready to open in 2027.