Homelessness town hall highlights divide between nonprofit and city over funding, planning

Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte and leaders from Well in the Desert shared contrasting views on how best to support the nonprofit’s efforts both during and after a community town hall on homelessness Tuesday evening, with the nonprofit accusing the city of neglect and the mayor calling for more strategic planning and collaboration.

The meeting, held at the Palm Springs Cultural Center and attended by roughly 50 community members, featured board members and staff from Well in the Desert, who described their grassroots approach to homelessness and expressed frustration over what they characterized as a lack of city support.

Matthew Naylor, president of Well in the Desert, said the organization has not received any financial assistance from the city, despite providing extensive services.

“The city will not give us a dime. They refuse to help us,” Naylor said. “Our mayor told us recently, ‘We’re not going to give you any money, but we appreciate all that you do for us.'”

Board members emphasized that their work continues without government funding. Eric Frankson noted that the organization served more than 81,000 meals last year and did not miss a single day of service during the pandemic.

“Over 81,000 meals last year with no funding. Zippo,” Frankson said.

The nonprofit operates meal programs, food box distributions, and a bicycle initiative five days a week across various church sites in Palm Springs. Organizers said their model is built on building trust through direct relationships with clients and serving healthy meals.

The organization had previously received financial support from the city, but the relationship between city officials and the nonprofit began deteriorating five years ago, leading to a breakup of sorts in 2021.

Board member Michael Weiner criticized what he said was the city’s lack of follow-through on recent promises of collaboration during recent talks between Well in the Desert officials and city leaders.

“I personally met with every city council member of the previous council and what did they say? ‘We have to work collaboratively together.’ Have you seen it?” Weiner said. “I’m trying to make partnerships with the city council, meet with them and meet with Martha’s [Village and Kitchen]. Have I heard anything back? No. That’s a problem.”

Naylor also questioned the city’s spending priorities, alleging that Palm Springs has spent $60 million on homelessness services with little progress to show for it. He said the nonprofit has tracked about 200 new homeless individuals arriving in the city since Jan. 1.

In response to the criticism afterward, deHarte, who attended the town hall, said he heard “a lot of great words, a lot of finger pointing,” but not enough detailed planning from the organization.

“There’s no plan,” he said. “I welcome them to come to us and put together a real plan.”

DeHarte also cited broader financial constraints facing the city as it evaluates support for nonprofit organizations.

“We have hundreds of nonprofit organizations in town and we’re facing a tremendous shortfall in funding not just for one organization, but for hundreds,” he said. “We have no idea what’s going to happen with the federal government. … Funding is being reassigned.”

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