June 7, 2024

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the City of Garden Grove, in partnership with the Cities of Fountain Valley, Westminster, and the County of Orange held a ribbon cutting for the Central Cities Navigation Center, a referral-based, transitional facility offering emergency housing and wrap-around services to individuals experiencing homelessness from any of the three cities. The center, located at 13871 West Street in Garden Grove, is anticipated to open on Monday, June 10, 2024.

At the ribbon cutting, Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones, who completes his final mayoral term this year, referred to the Central Cities Navigation Center as the “shining star” of Garden Grove’s many efforts to overcome homelessness.

“Over the last 25 years of proudly serving the City of Garden Grove, I’ve had the tremendous privilege of experiencing so many wonderful and meaningful accomplishments for our community. It’s been an important mission for Garden Grove to create solutions that not only meet the immediate needs of the homeless, but more importantly, ensure long-term, life-changing results,” said Mayor Jones.

The Central Cities Navigation Center will operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, serve approximately 170 adults, and provide up to 100 beds. Among the residential services, clients will receive three daily meals, access to laundry facilities, pet accommodation, and transportation to and from the facility.

Support services will include 1-on-1 case management, mental health and stabilization resources, substance use counseling, education services and life-skills development, employment assistance, and job training.

In 2022, 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.

“The opening of the Central Cities Navigation Center is a historic milestone in our city’s efforts to support the unhoused and assist them on their path to self-sufficiency. It serves as a symbol of our commitment to treat all our residents with compassion and empathy,” said Fountain Valley Mayor Glenn Grandis.

“Every community needs to do its part to ensure our most vulnerable residents are provided with compassionate and comprehensive services. I’m extremely proud of the collaboration of our three cities with the County of Orange’s support. We’re taking one great step toward ensuring that every person has a place to call home,” said Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen.

“Creating meaningful change requires a collective effort, and this navigation center serves as a testament to the leadership, commitment, and shared vision by the cities of Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Westminster, and the County of Orange. Together, we are working towards serving unhoused individuals and fostering a more compassionate and resilient community. We are fully committed to this cause, having invested over $11 million to ensure the successful construction and operation of the center for the next decade,” said Orange County Second District Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento.

“As County Supervisor for the First District, I am pleased to help kickstart the construction and launch of the Central Cities Navigation Center, by directing the allocation of $5.3 million from the county, plus an annual supplement of $625,000 for the facility’s operation and management for the next ten years,” said Orange County First District Supervisor Andrew Do. “This navigation center will add capacity to our existing System of Care to effectively address homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues in our county.”

At the end of the ceremony, Garden Grove District 6 Councilmember Kim Nguyen-Penaloza expressed her support and excitement over the navigation center being in her district.

“The Central Cities Navigation Center joins the recognized Buena Clinton Youth and Family Center, the renowned Christ Cathedral, Bracken’s Kitchen, Thomas House Family Shelter, and the City’s first permanent supportive housing project, Stuart Apartments in calling District 6 its home,” said Councilmember Nguyen-Penaloza.

For more information on the Central Cities Navigation Center, visit www.ggcity.org/navigation-center. For photos of the event, visit @gardengrovecityhall on social media.