November 2, 2020 – After years of effort, the Mayor and City Council hosted a ribbon cutting event today to celebrate the completion of construction of the City’s Navigation Center. The facility will provide up to 174 shelter beds for adults, and will also facilitate additional case management and support services.
“During the past 5 years, addressing homeless related issues has been a top priority at the City,” said Mayor Lyn Semeta. “Establishing a Navigation Center here in Huntington Beach provides us with a critical tool to help our most vulnerable adults, while facilitating an improved quality of life for everyone in Surf City.”
The Navigation Center, located at 17642 Beach Boulevard, will provide homeless adults in Huntington Beach with temporary sheltering and homeless support services. The City has contracted with Mercy House (www.mercyhouse.net) to operate the facility.
“We are amazed at the speed and urgency that the City displayed in building the Navigation Center,” said Mercy House Executive Director, Larry Haynes. “It was a remarkable project that converted vacant land into a comprehensive shelter that Mercy House is proud to operate, and we believe our services will truly benefit the entire Huntington Beach community.”
With construction of the facility now complete, Mercy House and City contractors will spend the next few weeks outfitting and putting the finishing touches on the Navigation Center. The facility will begin serving homeless clients by the end of November 2020.
Those staying at the temporary shelter will have access to comprehensive support services, including vocational training, mental health treatment, and transportation to necessary appointments. To enhance the safety of the surrounding neighborhood and prevent loitering off-site, walk-ins will not be accepted, and all clients must be referred in to the Navigation Center through the City’s homeless outreach partners. Mercy House will also provide 24/7 onsite security, complemented by increased patrols by the Huntington Beach Police Department. Lastly, access to the Navigation Center will only be allowed off of Beach Boulevard, which will limit impacts to the neighborhood along Cameron Lane.
The Navigation Center was a joint partnership project between the County of Orange and the City of Huntington Beach. During the past 3 months, the two agencies engaged in a coordinated effort to design and build the facility. The primary structure on the site is a Sprung Structure tent, which has been used successfully as shelter buildings in various other locations. The full-service facility also features restroom / shower facilities, a kitchen / dining hall, laundry facilities, and administrative offices.
The City and County are proud of this joint effort to launch a new Navigation Center in Huntington Beach to serve the needs of our homeless population. Moving ahead, updates will be posted on the City’s new homeless website, www.hbhomelesssolutions.org.
