The San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) provided an update on its growing list of regional programs and initiatives, marking the first full year operating under its new Five-Year Work Plan. Developed through extensive collaboration with cities and the County, the plan reflects shared priorities around housing, public safety, economic development, and long-term community resilience.
A major focus this year was the launch of the Countywide Homeless Strategic Plan. SBCOG and its consultant team are gathering data and assessing existing services to create a coordinated approach for helping individuals experiencing homelessness. The final plan, expected in 2028, will guide investments, identify gaps, and support cities and agencies in aligning resources.
SBCOG also celebrated the official launch of the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust, a new joint powers authority designed to support affordable and workforce housing. Initial funding allocations have already been approved for two pilot projects.
To support local businesses, SBCOG introduced several new programs, including regional vendor fairs, a Small Business Academy that helps local companies compete for government contracts, and a vendor registration dashboard designed to simplify purchasing across jurisdictions. A Street Vendor Toolkit is also in development to help create more consistent, understandable rules for mobile vendors countywide.
Other key efforts include a regional evacuation and resilience center study, countywide programs through IREN, support for housing focused grant programs, and early planning work to improve emergency communications systems.
Together, these initiatives reflect SBCOG’s role in strengthening community services, supporting local economic growth, and improving quality of life.