San Francisco Navigation Centers and SAFE Navigation Centers

Background

San Francisco faces a significant challenge with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The 2017 Point-in-Time Count estimated 7,500 individuals experiencing homelessness, approximately 4,400 living unsheltered, on any given night.

Through improved coordination city-wide and the development of Navigation Centers, existing Temporary Shelters and SAFE Navigation Centers, we are having a significant impact in our ability to bring our unhoused neighbors indoors. We know that the dignity and safety of every San Franciscan improves when everyone has a place to sleep inside.

The Navigation Center Model

San Francisco’s first Navigation Center opened in March 2015 and was a successful pilot serving San Francisco’s highly vulnerable and long-term unhoused neighbors who are often fearful of accessing traditional shelter and services. HSH subsequently opened 8 Navigation Centers and currently has 6 in operation. For more information, click here.

San Francisco’s Navigation Center model is being replicated nationally and, here in San Francisco, we building on this best practice by developing SAFE Navigation Centers.

The SAFE Navigation Center Model

An evolution of Navigation Centers, SAFE Navigation Centers are low-threshold, high-service temporary shelter programs for adults experiencing homelessness in San Francisco. SAFE Navigation Centers are one part of the Homelessness Response System and are an attractive service for people living unsheltered or in encampments.

SAFE Navigation Centers are essential to reducing unsheltered homelessness and connecting guests to services and housing assistance. SAFE Navigation Centers build off of the best aspects of Navigation Centers while making them more scalable, sustainable, and effective. The City is looking to expand SAFE Navigation Centers in neighborhoods across the city to respond to the homelessness crisis and has reviewed over 100 potential sites.

Effective

From the launch of Navigation Centers in 2015 through the end of 2018, 46% of Navigation Center exits were either to permanent housing or reunifications with family or friends through the Homeward Bound program. Over 5,000 clients have been served at Navigation Centers from 2015 to November 2019.

Access-Controlled

Navigation Centers and SAFE Navigation Centers do not accept walk-ins. All individuals and couples who enter have been selected by the SF Homeless Outreach Team or a centralized referral system. Because Navigation Centers operate 24×7, there are no lines outside in the evening, and guests are not exited onto the street in the morning.

Improving Safety for All San Franciscans

Neighbors of the existing Navigation Centers report that Navigation Centers have no negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods and, in some cases improve them. This Navigation Center Neighborhood Impacts Report reviews the impact on crime, property values, sense of safety and visibility of homelessness in neighborhoods surrounding Navigation Centers. One neighborhood association near a Navigation Center offered this letter of support to extend the lease of the Navigation Center after it proved to be effective for people experiencing homelessness and the surrounding residents.

Existing Navigation Centers

photos by City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Works

Bayshore Navigation Center