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Central Cities Navigation Center reaches 94% occupancy; VOA reports first client housed
Summary
Volunteers of America and city staff told council the new Central Cities Navigation Center is operating at near-capacity (80 of 85 beds) with coordinated intake through police departments and initial exits to housing; VOA said the opening has been among the smoothest transitions of a center they have operated.
City staff and the Volunteers of America (VOA) reported to the council that the Central Cities Navigation Center reached 94% occupancy (80 of 85 beds) as of Sept. 23, with 58 total client exits and one client successfully housed so far.
VOA Director Eric Richardson said the facility’s intake process is coordinated through police departments in the three participating cities, enabling screening for outstanding warrants and linking clients to their source jurisdiction. Richardson described the opening as "one of the smoothest transitions of opening a navigation center and a shelter" and emphasized case management, transportation (shuttle and potential county-provided minibus), and referral tracking.
Staff and VOA said they track client-level data—exits, AWOLs (72-hour absence rule), and referrals—and conduct exit surveys when possible; council members asked for a future report summarizing average length of stay, exit destinations and housing outcomes.
Why it matters: The center is central to the city’s homelessness strategy: it offers low-barrier entry, case management and a step toward permanent housing for individuals who otherwise camp in public spaces.
