Homelessness is a challenge for many cities, as resources and funding are limited locally. In an effort to leverage resources and be proactive in addressing the needs of the community’s most vulnerable residents, the cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, and Fountain Valley have developed a year-round central cities navigation center (CCNC).  A navigation center provides emergency housing and wrap-around services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

To solidify the collaboration and authorize staff time and resources, the three cities entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in June 2022 for acquiring and developing the navigation center site. City of Garden Grove staff identified a location at 13871 West Street, Garden Grove, which the three cities agreed upon. The project broke ground on June 13, 2023 and celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 5, 2024. 

About the Facility

Location: 13871 West Street, Garden Grove

Bed Breakdown by Dorms

Operator

Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1896 and is one of Southern California’s oldest and largest nonprofit organizations. VOALA has capacity and expertise serving people experiencing homelessness through a full continuum of services, including:

• Over 2,800 beds of interim housing shelter
• Community-based outreach and engagement
• Housing-focused case management
• Housing navigation
• Comprehensive service linkages
• Financial assistance
• Post-move-in stabilization
• Homelessness prevention

VOALA oversees Pathways to Home, the largest homeless shelter in Los Angeles which holds 300 beds. The agency serves more than 13,500 unhoused people annually through more than 90 programs.

Operations Key Facts

• Hours of Operations: 24/7 including city holidays
• Length of Stay: < or = 120 days
• No walk-in
• 18+, no children
• Anticipated to serve ~170 people per year on rotation

Support Services

• 1-on-1 case management
• Mental health and stabilization services/resources
• Substance use counseling and stabilization services/resources
• Outpatient health services
• Service animals and Pet accommodation
• Education services and life skills development
• Employment assistance and job training
• On-site transportation/shuttle services (to and from CCNC)
• CES and HMIS participation and documentation

Referral Guidelines

• By designated PD division: GGPD SRT, FVPD HLO, W HLO
• Cities’ contracted street outreach service providers
• Through the bed reservation systems: VOALA, PATH

Project Status Updates

On September 13, 2022, the Garden Grove City Council unanimously approved the execution of a purchase agreement and escrow instructions, and the property went into escrow at a purchase price of $5,600,000. 

At the September 28, 2022 meeting, the Westminster City Council unanimously approved an allocation of $4,000,000 toward the purchase and start-up costs.

February 8, 2023 Council Presentation: Project Update

Further updates can be found at the shared Central Cities Navigation Center page.