Salinas to fund Chinatown Navigation Center through March if county adds $200,000; council taps contingency for shortfall

City officials told the Salinas City Council on Aug. 26 that the Chinatown Navigation Center (CNC), which provides daytime services and shelter navigation for people experiencing homelessness, faces an operating shortfall and would close unless new funding is identified.

Keisha Lopez, the city’s Homeless Services Manager, presented the options and figures. Lopez told the council the center has a bed capacity of 50 and that the city has been working with Community Human Solutions, the county continuum of care and the Leadership Council to seek funding. She said the navigation center has a projected shortfall of about $1.5 million and that the City’s short‑term ask to get through the winter inclement period (November through March) is $587,000.

Lopez described two council options: do not fund further and close the Chinatown Navigation Center on Nov. 30, 2025; or appropriate $387,000 from the City’s budget stabilization contingency if the Continuum…