Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About FIASGP’s Free Services & Programs

Find all the answers to commonly asked questions about FIASGP free services & programs ranging from housing navigation, Medi-Cal enrollment, California ID assistance, workforce support, and volunteer opportunities in Banning, Beaumont, and the San Gorgonio Pass.

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Call Us Directly

Call us now to make an appointment for help and meet with one of our Navigators today!

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Volunteer with FIASGP

Volunteers are the lifeblood of FIA. Join us in playing a pivotal role fulfilling our purpose and community work.

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Donate to FIASGP

Whether you want to donate one-time or monthly- any amount helps!

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Contact Us

Need more information on ways you or your organization can partner with us? Contact us ASAP!

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What problems do you solve?

Stabilize households with housing navigation, rental and utility assistance, IDs and vital documents, benefits help, and health plan navigation.

Who do you serve?

Low-income, at-risk, and unhoused residents across the San Gorgonio Pass. No-wrong-door. If we cannot provide it, we connect you to a partner.

What services can I get today?

● Utility help (LIHEAP)
● California ID, birth certificate, Social Security card applications
● Resource navigation and referrals
● Navigator support for housing and benefits
● Call us directly or contact us to confirm availability.

How do I access services? Do I need an appointment?

Depending on the service needed we offer both appointments or walk-in assistance. For faster help we recommend to contact us via email or by call us by phone to speak with one of our Navigators. Walk-in capacity varies by day.

What were your results last year?

● 2,485 people served at the Navigation Center in 2024; +78.03% growth Jan to Dec
● EFSP rental-arrears prevention: $21,588 to 10 families (average $2,158, about 1.6 months of back rent)
● Rapid Rehousing: 80% success rate; 6+ permanent housing placements; 2 master-lease transitions; veteran housed with VASH; senior housed post-surgery; 2 foster youth housed

Do you work with health plans?

Yes. We support IEHP and Molina members with navigation, Enhanced Care Management referrals, and claims support.

What does a FIA Navigator actually do?

● Build a one-on-one action plan
● Create a documents checklist and help submit applications
● Provide housing leads and landlord follow-up
● Make warm handoffs to partners for health, legal, and workforce

What does life skills or workforce support include?

Group cohorts and 1 to 1 coaching for IDs, banking, job readiness, and entry credentials such as Food Handler and Guard Card, plus referrals to training partners.

Is there a cost?

ALL services are free to residents. Some partner programs have eligibility rules set by the agency. Call us now to speak to one our navigators directly.

How can landlords, clinics, or employers partner with FIASGP?

● Landlords: lease-ups with voucher-friendly support
● Clinics and health plans: ECM and community supports coordination
● Employers: candidate referrals, document support, and hiring days

Contact us here to get in touch with us on how you can get involved.

Where can I see events or pop-up clinics?

Check Events and the Calendar for service days and mobile clinics.

Commonly Asked Questions

What problems do you solve?

Stabilize households with housing navigation, rental and utility assistance, IDs and vital documents, benefits help, and health plan navigation.

Who do you serve?

Low-income, at-risk, and unhoused residents across the San Gorgonio Pass. No-wrong-door. If we cannot provide it, we connect you to a partner.

What services can I get today?

● Utility help (LIHEAP)
● California ID, birth certificate, Social Security card applications
● Resource navigation and referrals
● Navigator support for housing and benefits
● Call us directly or contact us to confirm availability.

How do I access services? Do I need an appointment?

Depending on the service needed we offer both appointments or walk-in assistance. For faster help we recommend to contact us via email or by call us by phone to speak with one of our Navigators. Walk-in capacity varies by day.

What were your results last year?

● 2,485 people served at the Navigation Center in 2024; +78.03% growth Jan to Dec
● EFSP rental-arrears prevention: $21,588 to 10 families (average $2,158, about 1.6 months of back rent)
● Rapid Rehousing: 80% success rate; 6+ permanent housing placements; 2 master-lease transitions; veteran housed with VASH; senior housed post-surgery; 2 foster youth housed

Do you work with health plans?

Yes. We support IEHP and Molina members with navigation, Enhanced Care Management referrals, and claims support.

What does a FIA Navigator actually do?

● Build a one-on-one action plan
● Create a documents checklist and help submit applications
● Provide housing leads and landlord follow-up
● Make warm handoffs to partners for health, legal, and workforce

What does life skills or workforce support include?

Group cohorts and 1 to 1 coaching for IDs, banking, job readiness, and entry credentials such as Food Handler and Guard Card, plus referrals to training partners.

Is there a cost?

ALL services are free to residents. Some partner programs have eligibility rules set by the agency. Call us now to speak to one our navigators directly.

How can landlords, clinics, or employers partner with FIASGP?

● Landlords: lease-ups with voucher-friendly support
● Clinics and health plans: ECM and community supports coordination
● Employers: candidate referrals, document support, and hiring days

Contact us here to get in touch with us on how you can get involved.

Where can I see events or pop-up clinics?

Check Events and the Calendar for service days and mobile clinics.

Didn’t find your answer? Still need help?

Click the button below to contact us and we will answer your question as soon as possible!

Contact Us

Myths, Facts, and Hard Questions

A mix of low-barrier interim options, rental assistance, permanent supportive housing, and coordinated outreach. Riverside County’s unsheltered drop illustrates what alignment can do.

Sources: CA BCSH – Encampment Resolution resources • LAHSA data summaries

Yes. 70% said $300-$500 per month would have prevented homelessness. 82% said a $5,000–$10,000 one-time payment would have done so. 96% said a voucher would have kept them housed.

Sources: CASPEH executive summary (PDF)

No. 90% lost their last housing in California, and 75% were last housed in the same county.

Sources: UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative – CASPEH news • CASPEH full report (PDF)

Behavioral health needs are real, but the leading drivers are high housing costs and low income. Median income before losing housing was $960 per month. Many were rent-burdened.

Sources: UCSF BHHI – CASPEH news • CASPEH executive summary (PDF)

 In California, SB 329 makes source-of-income discrimination illegal. Landlords cannot reject applicants for using vouchers.

Sources: CA Assembly HCD Committee analysis (PDF) • CA Civil Rights Dept. FAQ (PDF)

Programs that require sobriety first perform worse than Housing First on reducing homelessness and improving stability. People engage in care more consistently once stably housed.

Sources: National Low Income Housing Coalition brief (PDF)

Workforce connection is hard without housing, but 44% were actively looking for work and 18% had job income during their episode. Barriers include age, disability, transport, and lack of a stable address.

Sources: UCSF BHHI – CASPEH report (PDF)

Sweeps mostly displace people, often worsening health and breaking connections to care. They also carry legal risks if property is destroyed without due process. The Supreme Court’s Grants Pass (2024) decision lets cities enforce camping rules, but property protections like Lavan v. Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2012) still apply.

Sources: HPRI – Encampment policy research hub • Supreme Court – Grants Pass opinion (PDF) • Lavan v. City of Los Angeles (PDF)

In a recent study, 41% wanted shelter but could not access it. Top barriers include cost, documentation, discrimination, and accessibility.

Sources: CASPEH unsheltered findings brief (PDF)

Locally, Riverside County reported 3,990 people in the 2025 count and a 19% drop in unsheltered homelessness year over year, tied to coordinated housing efforts. Progress is possible when jurisdictions align housing, services, and prevention.

Sources: Riverside County press release • PIT summary packet (PDF)

FIA-SGP 2024 Accountability highlights

  • People served at Navigation Center: 2,485 total in 2024; +78.03% Jan→Dec growth.
  • Rental arrears prevented: $21,588 to 10 families (avg $2,158; 1.6 months) via EFSP.
  • Health plan navigation: 137 IEHP members served; 349 claims submitted; 9 Molina ECM members supported; 4 deposits funded; 7 referrals to Community Supports.
  • Housing stability and placements: 80% RRH success rate; 6+ clients placed in permanent housing; 2 master‑lease clients transitioned to independent leases; veteran housed with VASH; senior housed post‑surgery; 2 foster youth housed.
  • IDs and vital records: 7 participants secured IDs, SS cards or state IDs through Life Skills cohorts.
  • Public health: 32 vaccination clinics; 33 outreach activities; 3,435 residents engaged; 32 people vaccinated; 26 mammogram sign‑ups at health fair.
  • Workforce and education: 6 certifications earned (Food Handler, Guard Card); 2 enrollments toward high school diploma; several opened credit‑union accounts.

These local outcomes demonstrate that coordinated prevention, navigation and housing supports reduce visible street homelessness when paired with county efforts.

Yes. Multiple reviews find large reductions in homelessness and better housing stability, with community cost offsets from fewer ER visits, jail stays, and shelter nights.

Sources: Community Preventive Services Task Force review (PDF) • National Low Income Housing Coalition brief (PDF) • JAMA Network Open – At Home/Chez Soi economic evaluation • Urban Institute – Housing First and jail cycle (PDF)

Call Us Directly

Call us now to make an appointment for help and meet with one of our Navigators today!

call us now

Volunteer with FIASGP

Volunteers are the lifeblood of FIA. Join us in playing a pivotal role fulfilling our purpose and community work.

get involved

Donate to FIASGP

Whether you want to donate one-time or monthly- any amount helps!

DONATE NOW

Contact Us

Need more information on ways you or your organization can partner with us? Contact us ASAP!

contact us

Myths, Facts, and Hard Questions

A mix of low-barrier interim options, rental assistance, permanent supportive housing, and coordinated outreach. Riverside County’s unsheltered drop illustrates what alignment can do.

Sources: CA BCSH – Encampment Resolution resources • LAHSA data summaries

Yes. 70% said $300-$500 per month would have prevented homelessness. 82% said a $5,000–$10,000 one-time payment would have done so. 96% said a voucher would have kept them housed.

Sources: CASPEH executive summary (PDF)

No. 90% lost their last housing in California, and 75% were last housed in the same county.

Sources: UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative – CASPEH news • CASPEH full report (PDF)

Behavioral health needs are real, but the leading drivers are high housing costs and low income. Median income before losing housing was $960 per month. Many were rent-burdened.

Sources: UCSF BHHI – CASPEH news • CASPEH executive summary (PDF)

 In California, SB 329 makes source-of-income discrimination illegal. Landlords cannot reject applicants for using vouchers.

Sources: CA Assembly HCD Committee analysis (PDF) • CA Civil Rights Dept. FAQ (PDF)

Programs that require sobriety first perform worse than Housing First on reducing homelessness and improving stability. People engage in care more consistently once stably housed.

Sources: National Low Income Housing Coalition brief (PDF)

Workforce connection is hard without housing, but 44% were actively looking for work and 18% had job income during their episode. Barriers include age, disability, transport, and lack of a stable address.

Sources: UCSF BHHI – CASPEH report (PDF)

Sweeps mostly displace people, often worsening health and breaking connections to care. They also carry legal risks if property is destroyed without due process. The Supreme Court’s Grants Pass (2024) decision lets cities enforce camping rules, but property protections like Lavan v. Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2012) still apply.

Sources: HPRI – Encampment policy research hub • Supreme Court – Grants Pass opinion (PDF) • Lavan v. City of Los Angeles (PDF)

In a recent study, 41% wanted shelter but could not access it. Top barriers include cost, documentation, discrimination, and accessibility.

Sources: CASPEH unsheltered findings brief (PDF)

Locally, Riverside County reported 3,990 people in the 2025 count and a 19% drop in unsheltered homelessness year over year, tied to coordinated housing efforts. Progress is possible when jurisdictions align housing, services, and prevention.

Sources: Riverside County press release • PIT summary packet (PDF)

FIA-SGP 2024 Accountability highlights

  • People served at Navigation Center: 2,485 total in 2024; +78.03% Jan→Dec growth.
  • Rental arrears prevented: $21,588 to 10 families (avg $2,158; 1.6 months) via EFSP.
  • Health plan navigation: 137 IEHP members served; 349 claims submitted; 9 Molina ECM members supported; 4 deposits funded; 7 referrals to Community Supports.
  • Housing stability and placements: 80% RRH success rate; 6+ clients placed in permanent housing; 2 master‑lease clients transitioned to independent leases; veteran housed with VASH; senior housed post‑surgery; 2 foster youth housed.
  • IDs and vital records: 7 participants secured IDs, SS cards or state IDs through Life Skills cohorts.
  • Public health: 32 vaccination clinics; 33 outreach activities; 3,435 residents engaged; 32 people vaccinated; 26 mammogram sign‑ups at health fair.
  • Workforce and education: 6 certifications earned (Food Handler, Guard Card); 2 enrollments toward high school diploma; several opened credit‑union accounts.

These local outcomes demonstrate that coordinated prevention, navigation and housing supports reduce visible street homelessness when paired with county efforts.

Yes. Multiple reviews find large reductions in homelessness and better housing stability, with community cost offsets from fewer ER visits, jail stays, and shelter nights.

Sources: Community Preventive Services Task Force review (PDF) • National Low Income Housing Coalition brief (PDF) • JAMA Network Open – At Home/Chez Soi economic evaluation • Urban Institute – Housing First and jail cycle (PDF)

Need Assistance

Contact FIA to obtain our help and meet with one of our Navigators today!

CONTACT US

Volunteer

Join us to play a pivotal role in fulfilling our purpose in the community.

SIGN UP TO Volunteer

Become a Monthly Donor

Make a difference in the community – by becoming a monthly donor!

become a monthly donor

Need Assistance

Contact FIA to obtain our help and meet with one of our Navigators today!

CONTACT US

Volunteer

Join us to play a pivotal role in fulfilling our purpose in the community.

SIGN UP TO Volunteer

Become a Monthly Donor

Make a difference in the community – by becoming a monthly donor!

become a monthly donor