San Mateo County’s Navigation Center is a three-story, 240-bed, state-of-the-art shelter funded by $55 million dollars in Homekey grants and another $5 million from philanthropist John Sobrato. The Navigation Center, which is operated by LifeMoves, provides temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness, with intensive counseling and other wraparound support services. The facility opened in April 2023, and is a key part of San Mateo County’s efforts to reach functional zero homelessness, meaning that anyone who desires shelter can access it through an array of County facilities and programs.
The Navigation Center has been especially impactful for seniors ages 55 and older, who account for nearly half of the clients enrolled at the facility and stay for an average of 160 days. For many of these seniors, the Navigation Center is their first opportunity to access medical, dental, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment in many years.
