Navigation center renovation completed

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The second phase of the City’s navigation center and low-barrier shelter has opened following completion of an interior renovation and now offers temporary, stable shelter to 10 more people, in addition to others already living in 10 individual pallet shelters as fall arrives.

Early this month, Phase 2 interior renovations of the 9,870-square-foot Gary Leif Navigation Center were finished by general contractor S+B James Company of White City, Ore., in a project managed by Roseburg Public Works Design/Construction Manager Ryan Herinckx. City Councilors toured the renovated facility Thursday, Sept. 7.

The navigation center at 948 SE Mill St. is owned by the City but operated by local poverty-fighting agency United Community Action Network (UCAN), which partners with other community nonprofits to provide “wraparound” case-management services to help people become more self-sufficient and transition to more permanent, stable housing.

“It’s a big step forward for our community and an important tool for compassionately addressing those sleeping outside in Roseburg’s public spaces,” City Manager Nikki Messenger said.

The facility’s June 2022 Phase 1 opening had brought 10 low-barrier pallet shelters or “mod pods” set up in a parking area near a shower and laundry trailer.

The first 10 overnight guests began staying at the “congregate” or group shelter on a rainy Monday, Sept. 25, during the facility’s soft opening after UCAN staff installed office furniture and equipment and then set up beds, a communal dining area and other furniture for up to 30 people at a time to access temporary stable shelter. An additional 20 guests are expected to begin staying there as UCAN is able to ensure the mix of guests and staffing are appropriate, according to UCAN Supervisor of Housing & Homeless Services Jacob Schlueter.

“Today’s an exciting day for the navigation center as we’re bringing in our first 10 customers,” UCAN Executive Director Shaun Pritchard told the Homeless Commission Monday as he thanked Messenger, Mayor Larry Rich, Herinckx and others for their work to coordinate the renovation. “Great day to bring some people out of the rain.”

Those 30 group shelter beds were added in a second-phase project after the navigation center’s June 2022 Phase 1 opening with 10 low-barrier pallet shelters or “mod pods” in the parking lot that also are operated by UCAN, which Pritchard said has about a 66% success rate for getting clients rehoused.

Messenger and Pritchard are scheduled to discuss the group shelter’s opening on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN’s “Inside Douglas County” with News Director Kyle Bailey at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.

UCAN had a waitlist of 200 people, but the list has become quite a bit shorter as UCAN has worked to update that. Unhoused Roseburg residents who’d like to sign up for the list are encouraged to stop by the navigation center, Schlueter said.

Residents will be allowed and encouraged to stay at the shelter all day so they can access case management services. The navigation center will be staffed by three guest-hosts at all times. During business hours, the center will be staffed by a case manager, guest host supervisor, partnership coordinator and alternating nonprofit service providers. One staff person from a trauma-informed security company, One Security, as well as three guest-hosts will be on premises overnight, Schlueter added.

The City bought the building from UCAN for $270,000. The total for the building, pallet shelters and all renovations for phases 1 and 2 is about $1.86 million. That’s being funded from $1.5 million the Oregon Legislature gave the City to open and operate a low-barrier emergency shelter and navigation center by June 30, 2022.

The money could only be used for that purpose and would have had to be returned if the center didn’t open by the original deadline. Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds will cover the extra $360,000 in expenses if additional grants aren’t identified, Messenger said.

Oregon House Bill 5202 later provided an additional $1.49 million for navigation center operations. Umpqua Health Alliance provided two grants for center operations totaling $300,000. The City had spent about $1.3 million on operations as August.

Shelter also is offered by the Roseburg Rescue Mission based at 752 S.E. Pine St. The mission offers year-round emergency services including overnight shelter, food, showers, clothing and laundry to homeless women, men and children. Three meals are offered daily and a dayroom is open all day, even to people not staying overnight.

For the last year, the Roseburg Homeless Commission has been diligently working to open a supervised urban campground. Two properties are currently being considered. A commission subcommittee entered negotiations on an undisclosed first property after visiting about 10 potential sites. One of the property’s four owners reacted positively to a tentative price, but no formal offer can be considered by the City Council until all four agree on a sale price.

Last week, the subcommittee looked at a second property that is now being considered, Mayor Rich told the Homeless Committee Monday.

Anyone who’d like to help support the Gary Leif Navigation Center can inquire about volunteering at volunteer@ucancap.org or donate via UCAN’s website at https://ucancap.networkforgood.com.