News Channel 3 Exclusive: First residents moving into Palm Springs Navigation Center
Phase Two of the Palm Springs Homeless Navigation Center is now officially open, with the first residents moving in on Tuesday. News Channel 3's Peter Daut has been following the project for years, and got a sneak peek of the facility right before those first residents arrived.
The nearly $40 million Center includes 80 independent housing units, many complete with kitchenettes, where people will live as they work toward moving into permanent housing.
"This is nothing extravagant, but it's a lot better than being on the street and it's functional, and they can be comfortable in here," Martha's Village and Kitchen CEO Sam Hollenbeck said. Martha's Village and Kitchen will operate the facility located off McCarthy Road in North Palm Springs. He said the Navigation Center will offer transitional housing along with wraparound services, including mental health support, job training, life skills education and case management.
A large kitchen will serve residents three meals a day. In addition to a playground for families, there's also a dog park. Hollenbeck said that's important because homeless people often avoid seeking help from facilities where they cannot bring their pets. "So they no longer have to make a choice: Do they become separated from their pet or do they get help? They can have both," he said. Daut asked him: "What are the types of people who will be coming here?" He responded: "They're people who are down on their luck in their life right now, and they're looking for someone to give them a hand up and get them back on their feet."
The modular units, kitchen and the rest of the Second Phase now join the Early Access Center, which opened in the spring to provide 50 beds for overnight shelter. That Early Access Center will now provide initial shelter to people until they can transition into one of the modular units.
Daut asked the Deputy Director of Housing and Workforce Solutions for Riverside County, Greg Rodriguez: "How long do you anticipate the average person will stay here?" He replied: "So that's probably the most difficult question to answer. Some guests may only have to be here 30 days, some may take 90, some may take more. It depends on the acuity level, but we'll try to get them into permanent housing as soon as possible."
The opening of the Second Phase comes in the wake of the Palm Springs City Council passing an anti-camping ordinance, aimed at taking a tougher approach toward those living on the streets. City and county officials said the Navigation Center will provide help to those who want it. "I'm not only hopeful, I'm confident this will make a difference. Other models across the country have shown this is very successful," Rodriguez said.
About 20 people moved into the Navigation Center Tuesday, but officials said they expect it will be at full capacity in the next two months, so about 120 residents. Priority will be given to people from Palm Springs and the surrounding cities. Those people are screened, and placed into a permanent housing plan. No drugs or alcohol are allowed on the campus.
