Riverside County’s Multi-Year Effort Transforms Santa Ana River-bottom, Connecting Hundreds to Housing

Riverside County is celebrating significant strides in its multi-year effort to restore the Santa Ana River-bottom. What began as a complex challenge with balancing public safety, environmental preservation, and the urgent needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, has now become a model for regional collaboration and compassionate intervention.

Under the leadership of Supervisor Karen Spiegel, Riverside County partnered with the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and Riverside to take on one of the county’s most challenging encampment issues. The initiative has successfully transitioned 188 individuals into stable housing, demonstrating that long-term solutions are possible when agencies work together with a shared commitment.

“The Santa Ana Riverbed initiative is about more than just addressing encampments—it’s about restoring our community spaces and providing real solutions for the unhoused, all while ensuring a sustainable future for our residents,” said Supervisor Spiegel. “Rather than taking a short-term approach, we invested in real solutions, ensuring that those living there had access to housing, services, and a fresh start.”

The effort involved a multidisciplinary team, including Riverside County and non-profit partner outreach workers, behavioral health specialists, substance use counselors, medical professionals, social workers, park rangers, animal services teams, and law enforcement. The initiative also recognized the importance of pet-friendly housing solutions, ensuring that individuals with companion animals were not left behind—an approach that strengthened trust and engagement.

Riverside County dedicated $11 million through the state’s Encampment Resolution Fund to support this effort, balancing immediate intervention with long-term environmental stewardship. The success of the Santa Ana River-bottom project has not only transformed lives but also set a precedent for future efforts across the county. It has since inspired additional initiatives, including work underway in the San Jacinto River-bottom and a new project launching in the southwest region of the county.

With a strong foundation now in place, Riverside County’s Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions, Office of Homeless Services remains committed to expanding this work and continuing to develop innovative solutions that serve both individuals in need and the broader community.

For more information on Riverside County’s housing and homelessness programs, and how you can get involved, visit rivcohhpws.org.
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