January 26, 2023

In an effort to address homelessness in the Central Service Planning Area, established by the County of Orange Continuum of Care, the City of Garden Grove, in partnership with the Cities of Fountain Valley and Westminster, will open a local navigation center for emergency shelter rehabilitation and operations to serve individuals experiencing homelessness. The Central Cities Navigation Center, anticipated to open this fall, will be located at 13871 West Street in Garden Grove.

“Ending homelessness is one of the greatest challenges of our times, but with the efforts of our city and the valuable support of Fountain Valley and Westminster, I’m confident the navigation center will offer new beginnings for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. This important project is a big step in the right direction,” said Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones.

“Fountain Valley is excited to collaborate with Garden Grove and Westminster on the development of the navigation center. Homelessness is an issue affecting all of our communities and requires our shared resources. It is our hope that with the services and caring staff provided by the navigation center, that we will be able to positively impact the lives of unhoused residents,” stated Fountain Valley Mayor Kim Constantine.

“The City of Westminster is committed to taking a proactive approach to combatting homelessness and being a part of the solution. Homelessness affects our community’s most vulnerable residents, and we are proud of the collaboration among Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Garden Grove in developing this navigation center. With the staff and resources available through the navigation center, we hope we can provide the much-needed services to help our homeless become successful in self-sufficiency,” said Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen.

The upcoming navigation center includes: dormitory areas to accommodate up to 85 beds for men, women, and couples; full-service commercial kitchen, restroom, and shower facilities; laundry room; dining and outdoor areas; lockers for personal items; and staff support areas.

Clients to the navigation center will be accepted on a referral-only basis. Anticipated supportive services to be offered are: 1-on-1 case management; mental health and stabilization services and resources; outpatient health services; education services; employment assistance and job training; life skills development; and transportation.

Last year, the City of Garden Grove entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities of Fountain Valley and Westminster to establish joint financing, operations, and provision of services of the Central Cities Navigation Center. Earlier this year, the County of Orange unanimously approved to contribute $5.3 million for the renovation/construction and an annual amount of $625,000 towards operations and services of the navigation center for the next 10 years. The estimated construction cost for the Central Cities Navigation Center is $8.3 million.

For more information on the Central Cities Navigation Center, visit www.ggcity.org/navigation-center, www.fountainvalley.org/1441/central-cities-navigation-center, or www.westminster-ca.gov/departments/city-manager/navigation-center.

To learn about the City of Garden Grove’s current and future efforts directed to homelessness, visit www.ggcity.org/endhomelessness.