On September 10, Fremont’s City Council voted unanimously to build a Homeless Navigation Center next to City Hall. This is a huge victory for the community of Fremont and also sets an important precedent for other Bay Area cities to follow!
The decision was made after months of deliberation on whether to build a Homeless Navigation Center in Fremont, and if so, where. Two sites were being considered towards the end of the debate—one on Decoto Road and the other on a plot near City Hall. The City Hall site was chosen by the Council after careful consideration of access to services, transportation, and the community’s input. The Navigation Center will house 45 people at a time, which works out to around 90 people each year.
Anu Natarajan
The unanimous decision by Fremont’s city council to approve the HNC is testament to the amazing work of community members and organizations like Greenbelt Alliance, along with city staff’s extensive community outreach. This is a great first step in dealing with the regional housing and homeless crisis.
According to CBS SF BayArea, city leaders acknowledge that “The center is a temporary solution to the homeless crisis.” Fremont resident Katherine Rubie (who recently became homeless) was quoted in this coverage, saying “It’s [homelessness] only going to get worse, it’s not going to get better if we don’t do anything about it.” With examples like the success of the Navigation Center in Berkeley, it was hard for the Council to say no to this opportunity to help people experiencing homelessness find permanent housing.
Greenbelt Alliance Board member and resident of Fremont, Anu Natarajan, had this to say about the conclusion, “The unanimous decision by Fremont’s city council to approve the HNC is testament to the amazing work of community members and organizations like Greenbelt Alliance, along with city staff’s extensive community outreach. This is a great first step in dealing with the regional housing and homeless crisis.”
At Greenbelt Alliance, we understand that the current shelter crisis throughout the Bay Area is a threat to the safety and well-being of those experiencing homelessness. The Navigation Center is an important pathway toward permanent housing. Our partners at Friends of the Fremont Navigation Center and CA YIMBY played a huge part in seeing the Center to fruition. We want to thank all of our supporters for signing our petition and sending emails to the City Council (over 400 individuals took action!), encouraging them to build this much-needed refuge. Also, we applaud Fremont’s City staff for working with the community to come to the right decision—creating a place for our neighbors in need.
Resources:
Get the full scoop of how the final decision was made on the Fremont Navigation Center with the following coverage:
- Fremont Officials Approve Homeless Navigation Center On Lot Behind City Hall
- Fremont Council Chooses Homeless Navigation Center Location
- Fremont Officials Vote Unanimously; 45-Bed Homeless Navigation Center Will Go Downtown
- Fremont City Leaders Vote Unanimously to Approve Homeless Navigation Center Behind City Hall
Learn more about the work we do promote inclusive and affordable neighborhoods throughout the region today!
Photo: Nina Strehl via Unsplash
