At Wednesday’s Bend City Council meeting, Councilors approved a three-year agreement with Shepherd’s House Ministries to develop and operate a Navigation Center at the City-owned Second Street Shelter (275 NE Second Street, Bend). The first phase of the agreement includes program development and planning, including community outreach.
“Bend’s first Navigation Center will provide our unhoused community members regular access to services and resources in a safe, central location,” said Affordable Housing Coordinator Amy Fraley. “For many, accessing these resources is the first step toward stable housing.”
According to House Bill 2006, a Navigation Center is a low-barrier emergency shelter that is open seven days per week and connects individuals and families with health services, permanent housing and public benefits. Shepherd’s House Ministries will operate and manage the Navigation Center. Once fully operational, local service providers will offer these on-site services:
- Case management
- Behavioral and physical health referrals and service
- Referrals and support to address addiction
- Assistance acquiring identification cards, documents and benefits
- Employment support, job skills development, and education resources
- Aid in applying for housing and housing assistance
- Trauma-informed peer to peer counseling
- Daily meals
The first phase of developing the Navigation Center begins this month and lasts through its opening. State funding requires it to be operational by June 30, 2022. During this phase, Shepherd’s House Ministries will work with the City to:
- Further develop and implement Community Outreach Strategy.
- Establish admittance criteria and guidelines for maintaining services.
- Refine Good Neighbor agreements.
- Design and configure site for use as a Navigation Center.
- Procure materials, furniture, equipment, and supplies to open by June 30, 2022.
The City’s agreement with Shepherd’s House Ministries is not to exceed about $3.92 million and is funded by State funds, American Rescue Plan Act funds and the City’s general fund.
Opening a Navigation Center supports the City Council’s strategy to “invest in programs and partnerships that result in collaborative, concrete actions toward ending homelessness in Bend.”
For more information on how the City is supporting solutions to address houselessness, visit www.bendoregon.gov/houselessness.
