FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Visalia Navigation Center Breaks Ground

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2023

Visalia Navigation Center Breaks Ground

Construction Begins on a 100-Bed Facility with Wraparound Support Services

VISALIA, Calif. – Today at 10:00am, TC Hope and Community Services Employment Training (CSET) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Visalia Navigation Center, a 100-bed, low-barrier facility with wraparound support services for people experiencing homelessness. Held on the future property site near Glendale Avenue and Court Street in Visalia, the event was attended by more than 120 community leaders, elected officials, philanthropic partners, and local supporters.

 “This is why we are here today, uniting in kinship, built on community, and supporting our partners in this heavy yet necessary endeavor. These past two years have been unprecedented from wildfires, to COVID, to flood and high winds, but I’ll share that the mission and vision of this project continues because lives are at stake. Resilience arrives in moments of challenge and difficulty. Compassion emerges when we know that people belong in, not out, of the circle. Every resource that we can direct people to and move them towards stability, is a beautiful thing,” said Tulare County Supervisor, Eddie Valero.  “We have an ongoing obligation and commitment in addressing this crisis, and that work is represented here this morning. Thank you TC Hope and CSET for taking the charge to lead this endeavor - you truly are where community happens. This project is an example of your why, your purpose, and I am excited to be a part of this.”

Construction on the Visalia Navigation Center will begin soon, and is estimated to be completed in Spring 2024. The estimated construction costs are $11.6 million and the estimated annual operating costs are $1.5 million. The need for a low-barrier facility in Tulare County is dire, and the project is being funded primarily by Federal and State grant dollars, as well as local philanthropic support. According to a 2022 Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance Point in Time survey, there are an estimated 922 individuals in Tulare County experiencing homelessness, and an estimated 469 unhoused individuals in Visalia alone. The community’s existing shelters are at capacity and many individuals and families are being turned away and unable to access safe, secure, temporary housing.

“The Visalia Navigation Center will meet individuals in our community where they are at. We have over 10 local partners who will be rolling up their sleeves with us to bring services in,” said Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, Executive Director of CSET. “This is going to be a place of hope, a place of changing lives, not only for the individuals that are coming here for services, but for the people who have the privilege to work here. We are committed to being a great partner, and the neighborhoods will be a part of this as well.”

The Visalia Navigation Center will be a low-barrier, service-enriched living facility focused on guiding residents into permanent housing. Based on the national Housing First approach, the “low-barrier” aspect removes common barriers to entry, including a resident’s need to bring partners and/or pets, store personal possessions, or adhere to religious beliefs. The “navigation” aspect of the center refers to the presence of case managers to connect residents to supportive services. On-site resources will include beds, showers, laundry facilities, meals, phone/mail services, animal kennels, storage space, and parking. On-site services will include employment training, health services, substance abuse and mental health services, and connections to permanent housing opportunities.

The facility will employ best practices for resident logistics to help ensure a safe and secure environment for the residents of the center as well as the surrounding community. There will be onsite staffing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and office space will be provided for several partner organizations. Residents must be referred, and pre-enrollment is required via an online portal that will be accessible by local agencies and the police department. Beds are pre-assigned, and residents can stay at the center for up to 90-180 days.

“At Kaweah Health, we interact with people experiencing homelessness on a daily basis as they come to our emergency department and often get admitted to the hospital. Then we are greatly challenged because we have a responsibility to put together a safe discharge for patients, and there really is no safe place to discharge someone to the streets,” said Dr. Ryan Gates, Chief Population Health Officer at Kaweah Health. “We are very excited to partner with the Visalia Navigation Center to help meet this community need - not just to have a safe place to be discharged to, but a place with caring staff who can help people on their journey out of homelessness.”

Upon completion of the project, a neighborhood council will be established to provide feedback and ongoing dialogue between the center and the surrounding neighborhood and community. For more information on the Visalia Navigation Center, the neighborhood council, or to donate to the project, please visit tchope.org.

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ABOUT TC HOPE

TC Hope (Tulare County Hope for the Homeless) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization formed in March 2019 with the goal of building a low-barrier navigation center in Tulare County. Motivated by compassion for those experiencing homelessness, the volunteer board of directors is comprised of local residents who are working to fundraise and organize support for a navigation center and coordinating programs to assist individuals and  families with a pathway to permanent housing. Above all else, TC Hope is anchored by a belief in the humanity of those in need, and prioritizes safe and stable housing as a critical first step to achieving hope and healing for the unhoused. For more information on TC Hope, please visit tchope.org.

 ABOUT CSET
Community Services Employment Training (CSET) inspires youth, families and communities to achieve self-reliance through innovative pathways and collaboration. Since 1976, CSET has been the Community Action Agency for Tulare County. To learn more about CSET’s services and impact in Tulare County, please visit www.cset.org or call (559) 732-4194.