By Tes Welborn, HANC President

On Sunday afternoon, February 23rd, Supervisor Dean Preston and staff hosted a District 5 public meeting about Navigation Centers -- what they are and what they do. The meeting was held at Gateway High School.  Other speakers included a young man, Justin, who has benefited from a Navigation Center, Steve Good, director of 5 Keys, the service provider at the Bayview Navigation Center, Christin Evans, from the Prop C campaign, and Jennifer Friedenbach, Coalition on Homelessness. Captain Engler, from Northern Station, and a lieutenant from the Park state were also available for questions.

The purpose of the meeting was to provide information and answer questions in advance of proposing a Navigation Center in D5. Pending legislation calls for a Navigation Center in every district, so as not to overly burden some districts. A speaker from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing spoke on the history and success of Navigation Centers. She showed slides of several different Navigation Centers. She emphasized that they are open 24-7, that partners, pets and possessions are welcome, that they have about a 45% success rate at re-housing clients, and that crime rates stay the same or drop around new Navigation Centers. Fact sheets are available from the Department and from the Coalition on Homelessness. That Navigation Centers are safe for neighborhoods was reinforced by Captain Engler.

The large public attendance got to ask many questions and make comments. Most were generally supportive. Several parents supported a Navigation Center, one saying that it was better than trying to explain how the city could be so non-compassionate as to force young and old to live in the streets.

Supervisor Preston said that they are actively seeking a site, and further community meetings will be held when a prospective site is available.