For months, residents of the former All Star Lodge, now operating as a supportive housing community at 450 N. G St. in San Bernardino, faced uncertainty about the future of their homes.
Many of the older adults who live in the building had already experienced homelessness before arriving there. When notices began appearing on their doors claiming that the state’s rent subsidies had ended and that rent would skyrocket, many feared that they could lose the stability they had finally found.
For 70-year-old William Carter, the possibility was frightening. Carter supports two people on a fixed income of $1,200 a month. When he learned about the potential rent increase, he became concerned about what would happen next.
“That was a scary time,” said Carter. “I knew where I was going to go after that. I was going to go right back into the streets.”
The uncertainty weighed heavily on residents throughout the building. Carter said many of them feared that they would no longer be able to afford their rent and would once again face homelessness.
“I don’t want to go back,” he said. “I’ll never go backwards like that.”
Relief arrived when residents learned that San Bernardino County had acquired the property to ensure that they could remain in their homes.
“The county recently acquired the site after residents came forward and spoke out about the challenges they were facing,” said San Bernardino County Deputy Executive Officer Derek Armstrong. “Thanks to support from the state, the county’s acquisition of the property will help ensure it continues to benefit the community.”
As part of the transition, county representatives held a community meeting with residents to discuss next steps, answer questions and hear concerns about the building.
“I’m very, very grateful that the county is coming in,” said Carter. “I have complete faith.”
Resident Renee Mora shared similar feelings.
Mora, 63, moved into the building in July 2023 after learning about the housing opportunity through a family member. As a survivor of domestic violence, she said the housing provided a sense of security at a critical time in her life.
“I personally want to thank San Bernardino County,” said Mora. “All the tenants of 450 N. G St. are so grateful to each and every one of you who work for the county.”
For Mora, the county’s purchase is the culmination of months of advocacy. The effort to preserve their housing began in December, when Mora and fellow resident Fred Miller brought notices they had received from their landlord to the city of San Bernardino in search of answers about the property’s future. They continued advocating on behalf of residents by sharing their concerns with county leaders and seeking support for the property.
In the end, Mora said residents were grateful that the county purchased the property.
“All the tenants are excited because you guys are truly here to help us,” she said.
Mora hopes the transition will bring additional services and support for residents, many of whom have experienced trauma and other hardships throughout their lives.
“Our main focus here is to get behavioral help, real behavioral help,” she said. “A lot of us are suffering from traumatic things that happened to us as a child.”
As county officials begin the next chapter for the property, the purchase is only the first step. Over the next 18 months, county officials said they plan to work with community partners to transform the property to create a safer and healthier environment and improve residents’ quality of life.
For Carter, the announcement brought relief.
“All of this is an opportunity for someone like me to not have so many worries and not be so stressed out,” he said.
Carter said he believes the county will provide the oversight and support residents have been seeking.
“This is a beautiful building,” said Carter. “I know the transformation is going to help everybody.”