Nevada County approves short-term lease and contracts to open Truckee navigation center
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Summary
The board approved a one-year lease, revenue agreements and an operations contract to open a Truckee navigation center this winter, funded by a mix of county, town, hospital and philanthropic commitments and operated by Volunteers of America as a pilot to shelter and navigate people toward housing and services.
Nevada County supervisors on Dec. 16 approved a set of agreements to open a one-year pilot navigation center in Truckee aimed at sheltering people experiencing homelessness and linking them to services.
The board voted unanimously to authorize the county purchasing agent to finalize lease terms for a building on Deerfield Drive, approve two revenue agreements committing partner funding, and sign an operations contract with Volunteers of America (VOA). County staff said the lease includes an initial one‑year term with two optional one‑year renewals and a below‑market rent; the county will contribute tenant improvements and operations support to launch the site quickly.
Phoebe Bell, director of behavioral health and homeless services, said the project reflects years of partnership and was structured to solve three problems: find a location acceptable to the community, secure an experienced operator and assemble sustainable funding. She told supervisors the county has committed about $360,000 in direct support and that the Town of Truckee and Tahoe Forest Hospital have pledged matching revenue; the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation and local community fundraising efforts also provided significant support.
Volunteers of America — the proposed operator — will run shelter beds and interim housing alongside day services and housing navigation, Bell said. VOA and county staff said outcome metrics and use data will determine whether the model should be continued or scaled, and the pilot is structured so partners can re-evaluate participation after the first year.
Board members praised the partnerships and noted outreach to neighborhood residents and local agencies during project development. Supervisor comments echoed a desire for continued monitoring of operational impacts, funding commitments for years two and three, and transparency on outcomes and neighborhood coordination.
The board approved four related resolutions (52A–52D) authorizing the lease, revenue agreements and VOA operating contract. Staff said construction and tenant improvements would begin immediately, with a goal of opening in January or early February, weather permitting.
Next steps include permit filings with the Town of Truckee, VOA hiring and operations set-up, and future agenda items to finalize any subsequent partner agreements.