The City announced on Dec. 30, 2022 that it has partnered with Martha’s Village and Kitchen to provide overnight shelter at the Palm Springs Access Center.
The facility, located at 225 El Cielo Road, will have 15 beds available nightly for those in need from Jan. 2 – Feb. 28, 2023. Hours of operation will be 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. Free dinner, breakfast and hygiene items will also be available. Beds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 4:30 p.m. daily.
This is obviously good news although still far short of adequate to cover local needs. We have been advocating for the county and city to open temporary overnight shelter beds for unhoused people in Palm Springs until the Navigation Center is opened next year. Allowing the Access Center to be available for overnight shelter is welcomed but insufficient. We objected to the daytime Access Center at this new location from the start, given its proximity to the airport, which now has reportedly experienced some homeless people staying overnight. The fact that unhoused people are seeking overnight shelter at the airport is a glaring failure of county and city leadership. We expect more.
For more information about the Access Center shelter, contact Rosa Verduzco with Martha’s Village and Kitchen at (760) 347-4741, ext. 109.