Why: As you may remember, the City purchased a building this past spring for a Navigation Center to help transition our homeless population to stable housing. However, that site may not work so we are obligated to look at other potential sites to address the growing homelessness issues in our town. With that, the City has narrowed a new search to another property at 17881 Beach Boulevard (the former Al’s Woodcraft site). This site may accommodate approximately 35-60 beds.
Who: Opening a 35 to 60 bed Navigation Center will allow the City to compassionately enforce our laws against loitering and camping in our parks and open spaces, as we assist the homeless in transitioning to housing here or elsewhere. Our anti-camping laws are an important tool in reducing homeless encampments and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, business owners, and visitors. It will also help keep our parks, beaches, and open spaces safe and clean.
Input: The City will host three Open Houses for the community:
Where: After evaluating over 40 locations, the City is considering leasing a location at 17881 Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach.
What: The proposed Center will provide beds for adult men, women and couples. There will be an approval process for potential clients including: no “walk-ins” or “walking-out,” no registered sex offenders (290’s) or open felony warrants, and no unruly clients. Length of stay can be up to 90 days, which could be extended if the homeless client is in process for housing. Clients living at the Navigation Center can stay on-site during the day and obtain needed services such as health care, counseling, job training and more. The clients will be driven to and from the site. The Center will be fenced in to prohibit any loitering around the area, assisted by additional police patrols.
When: The City may open the Navigation Center later this year. The City Council is likely to consider the project at the October 7 City Council Meeting, including a presentation during a 3:30 pm Study Session and also during the Regular Meeting starting at 6 pm. If a lease is executed, the next steps include tenant improvements, selection of a qualified homeless shelter operator, and finalizing operating costs and funding. For further information regarding the City’s response to homelessness visit our website at:
Attachment: 2Final Media Alert 9.24.19 - v2.pdf