Proposed One-Year Navigation Center Pilot

The Tahoe Truckee Homeless Action Coalition is advancing a one-year Navigation Center pilot to provide a small, year-round space where people experiencing homelessness can access interim beds and stabilizing support services. The proposed 3,000-square-foot center would offer 6 interim housing beds and 10 year round shelter beds, giving community members a safe place to stay while connecting with case management, healthcare, and housing navigation services.

In October, funding requests are moving forward to the elected boards of the Town of Truckee, Tahoe Forest Hospital District, and Nevada County. This pilot project represents an important first step toward a permanent, locally supported homelessness response system. By testing this model, the Coalition aims to learn what works, build community trust, and ensure that every person in the Tahoe-Truckee region has a pathway to stability and housing.

Neighborhood outreach is taking place in October and November, 2025. Please reach out to the TTHAC Coordinator to learn more: Seana Doherty, 530-386-2940, seana@agnewbeck.com. 

Neighbor Learning & Listening Session

Monday, October 27, 4:00-5:00pm
Mountain Brew, 12373 Donner Pass Rd
Truckee, CA 96161

Join TTHAC members, business owners, and local residents to learn and share input about the proposed 1-year Navigation Center Pilot Project at 12315 Deerfield Drive.

Questions? Contact Seana Doherty, Coalition Coordinator, seana@agnewbeck.com.

Fast Facts

The following project highlights are subject to change and are based on estimates only.

Proposed Location: 12315 Deerfield Drive, Truckee (behind Taco Bell) — centrally located, fenced commercial property, leasing conversations initiated between Nevada County and landlord to lease 50% of the property for one year.

Proposed Operator: Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada (VOA NCNN) pending contracting agreement — a trusted nonprofit serving 3,500 people nightly across the region. Northern Nevada – VOA NCNN

Volunteers of America has operated shelters and Navigation Centers across Northern California and Nevada since 1911, serving 3,500 people nightly.
Comparable sites show strong outcomes—up to 50% of participants move to stable housing and emergency-room use drops dramatically.

Opening Target: January 2026

Pilot Duration: One year (2026)

Facility Size: Approximately 3,000 square feet

Goal: Provide a safe, well-managed, 24/7, 365 days a year resource for people experiencing homelessness—reducing public impacts while helping individuals stabilize and move toward permanent housing.

Why Here, Why Now:

  • Each winter, unsheltered residents in our region face life-threatening conditions. North Tahoe-Truckee region currently has no year-round shelter; emergency options have been temporary and weather-dependent in the past.
  • Extensive community feedback collected over the past three years supports the Navigation Center model.
  • The site at 12315 Deerfield Drive is centrally located, close to transportation, food, health care, and jobs. Since 2023, TTHAC partners have been working to identify an appropriate site (over forty properties looked at).

Services:

  • Provided 365 days a year, 24/7
  • Capacity to serve up to 25 people at time
  • 16 total beds: 6 individual interim housing cubbies + 10 shelter beds
  • Day services for people needing case management or hygiene support, not living at the Center
  • Professional staff on-site (minimum 2 staff per shift)
  • Restrooms, hot showers, laundry, mail service, and secure storage
  • Case management helps participants access housing, jobs, health care, and benefits

Lead Agency / Lease Holder: Nevada County is willing to lease the site, allowing the project to proceed under Town of Truckee Development Code §18.02.025, which expedites implementation as a County activity.

Estimated Budget: $1.38 million (Year 1)

Funding Requests in October/November: 

  • Town of Truckee – $360,000
  • Tahoe Forest Hospital District – $360,000
  • Nevada County – $360,000
  • Placer County – $75,000
  • Community Philanthropy – $230,000

Estimated Timeline Highlights:

  • Funding secured by October 30, 2025
  • Lease signed by November 21, 2025
  • Contract with operator (VOA) secured by December 3
  • Tenant improvements and hiring completed by December 2025/January 2026

Community Benefit:

  • Replaces the inconsistent, weather-only warming shelter with a professional, stable operation
  • Reduces emergency room visits and law enforcement calls
  • Builds trust and provides a pathway to permanent housing
Proposed 1-Year Navigation Center Pilot Overview Handout

Fast Facts

The following project highlights are subject to change and are based on estimates only.

Purpose: Launch a small, year-round Navigation Center pilot to provide safe shelter and essential services for people experiencing homelessness in the Truckee–Tahoe region.

Opening Target: January 1, 2025

Duration: 1-year pilot (2025–2026)

Location: 12315 Deerfield Drive, Truckee (behind Taco Bell) — centrally located, fenced commercial property, leasing conversations initiated between Nevada County and landlord to lease 50% of the property for one year.

Facility Size: Approximately 3,000 square feet

Operator: Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada (VOA NCNN) pending contracting agreement — a trusted nonprofit serving 3,500 people nightly across the region. Northern Nevada – VOA NCNN

Capacity:

  • Provided 365 days a year, 24/7
  • Capacity to serve up to 25 people at time
  • 16 total beds: 6 individual interim housing cubbies + 10 shelter beds

Lead Agency / Lease Holder: Nevada County is willing to lease the site, allowing the project to proceed under Town of Truckee Development Code §18.02.025, which expedites implementation as a County activity.

Estimated Budget: $1.2 million (Year 1)

Funding Requests in October/November: 

  • Town of Truckee – $350,000
  • Tahoe Forest Hospital District – $350,000
  • Nevada County – $350,000
  • Placer County – $75,000
  • Community Giving Goal – $200,000

Estimated Timeline Highlights:

  • Funding secured by October 30, 2025
  • Lease signed by November 21, 2025
  • Contract with operator (VOA) secured by December 3
  • Tenant improvements and hiring completed by December 2025/January 2026

Services Offered:

  • Case management, housing and service navigation, employment support
  • Basic needs: meals, laundry, showers, mail, and transportation access

Community Benefit:

  • Replaces the inconsistent, weather-only warming shelter with a professional, stable operation
  • Reduces emergency room visits and law enforcement calls
  • Builds trust and provides a pathway to permanent housing

Why Now:

  • No year-round beds currently exist in our region
  • Local agencies, residents, and businesses have called for an urgent, compassionate, and coordinated solution
  • This pilot provides a proof of concept for a permanent Navigation Center in future years

Past Coalition Meetings

Recent Press About the Navigation Center Pilot

120-Day Community Engagement Plan