Housing Navigation Center showing success at one year anniversary
The City of Hayward Housing Navigation Center for people experiencing homelessness successfully placed into permanent housing nearly half of the 91 individuals served during its first year of operation.
Of the total 91 clients served through the first 12 months, 45 exited to permanent housing and 26 are still enrolled. Sixteen individuals exited into a COVID-19 isolation shelter offered through the County of Alameda, and four left the program for other reasons.
Under its original configuration when it opened on Nov. 18, 2019, the Navigation Center, located at Whitesell Street and Depot Road, was providing short-term housing for up to 45 people at a time in dormitory settings with one meal a day, on-site restroom, shower, laundry and kitchen facilities, and intensive case management geared toward long-term housing placements.
Due to COVID-19, it was necessary to decrease operational capacity from 45 beds in two residential trailers to a total of 25 beds. In October, however, four recreational vehicle-style trailers were added to increase capacity to 32 beds. Soon, a third residential trailer, acquired through the City’s federal Community Development Block Grant funds, will be installed to allow for the Center’s capacity to be restored to 45 through the remainder of the pandemic.
The Center was developed and furnished through a combination of state and local funding, and donations. To learn more, go to the Navigation Center webpage on the City of Hayward website, www.hayward-ca.gov. To make a donation to the Center, click here.
