Santa Clarita is expected to look at permits for a year-round homeless shelter for the first time in the city’s history, officials said Monday.

Under the current permit, Bridge to Home is allowed to assist 60 individuals at a time during the winter season, which runs from about November 20 until the end of March.

Bridge to Home, if Tuesday’s agenda item is approved, would extend its winter shelter operating days to year-round service to assist homeless In Santa Clarita area at the shelter’s facility on Drayton Street in Newhall.

The move would make several nonprofits, not just Bridge to Home, eligible for more funding, which could add numerous services for SCV residents, according to city officials and service providers supporting the move.

There have been numerous obstacles to a year-round shelter in the past, according to Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth, who said now is the right time to have a year-round shelter, noting the overall community’s “comfort level” with the idea of a year-round shelter has also evolved as a result of improvements at Bridge to Home.

“There’s been discussion with Bridge To Home over the last several years about transitioning to a year-round facility, and I think some of the concerns about the facility where the operations, the management, the land, and it looks like things are getting resolved and I think it’s time that we provide those services year-round.”

Homeless advocates and care providers hailed the potential as “moving in the right direction,” for the city of Santa Clarita and its outreach to those less fortunate.

“This is something we wanted for a long time,” said Chris Najarro, director of programs for Bridge to Home, “and the community for the most part because is hopeful and been wanting the shelter to be year-round… I think this is moving in the right direction to answer the need of the Santa Clarita homeless — without these types of services, individuals are sleeping in the streets, in the wash, in their car.”

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