Tahoe–Truckee Navigation Center pilot shows high utilization; county, partners plan September data review

Nevada County health and human services staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on the Tahoe'Truckee Navigation Center pilot on July 14, reporting strong early utilization and service connections.

Ryan Groover, director of the county Health and Human Services Agency, said the navigation center's model combines day services, emergency shelter and interim housing at a single site. Volunteers of America is operating services on-site and partner organizations provide wraparound case management. Groover said the center has served 38 unique guests (near estimates of the local unsheltered population), sustained 97% utilization of interim housing beds and 93% utilization for emergency shelter beds during the pilot period.

Staff reported 85 shower uses, 40 laundry uses and more than 2,000 meals provided to guests and residents to date. Through navigation work, about 50 people were connected to case management, 11 to employment or income supports and 11 to substance-use treatment services; staff confirmed one pilot participant moved into long-term housing and another was on the cusp of lease placement.

Groover credited the project's many partners—the town of Truckee, Placer County, the hospital and local nonprofits—for matching operating support and community outreach. He said the Tahoe Truckee Homeless Action Committee (TTHAC) will convene in September to review pilot data and recommend whether partners continue funding and operations. Staff have applied for a potential CDBG grant that could support acquiring the building if the pilot is recommended for continuation.

Several supervisors and community members praised neighborhood outreach efforts, including a community "taco night" and joint cleanup events that, presenters said, helped reduce tensions and improve neighbor relations. The board adopted a related resolution by unanimous roll call and planned a site tour after the meeting.