San Francisco faces a significant challenge with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The 2019 Point-in-Time Count estimated that there are over 8,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, approximately 5,180 living unsheltered, on any given night.
Improved coordination city-wide and the development of Navigation Centers, existing Temporary Shelters and SAFE Navigation Centers have significantly impacted 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 10 Navigation Centers and currently has 7 in operation. Access more information here.
San Francisco’s Navigation Center model is being replicated nationally and, here in San Francisco, we’re 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 Located at 125 Bayshore Boulevard Opened October 2018 128 person capacity* |  |
 | Bryant Navigation Center *Temporarily closed* Located at 680 Bryant Street Opened December 2018 84 person capacity* |
| Division Circle Navigation Center Located at 224 South Van Ness Avenue Opened June 2018 186 person capacity* |  |
 | Central Waterfront Navigation Center *Temporarily Closed* Located at 600 25th Street Opened June 2017 64 person capacity* |
| Civic Center Navigation Center Located at 20 12th Street Opened June 2016 112 person capacity* |  |
 | Embarcadero SAFE Navigation Center Located at 555 Beale Street Opened December 2019 200 person capacity* |
 | Bayview SAFE Navigation Center Located at 1925 Evans Street Opened January 2021 116 person capacity* |
| Lower Polk TAY Navigation Center Located at 700 Hyde Street Opened February 2021 |  |
Additionally, Hummingbird Navigation Center is funded and operated by the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
1515 South Van Ness was a Navigation Center but is no longer in operation.
*Capacity is pre-pandemic*