San Francisco Opens a New Navigation Center, With Two More on the Way

San Francisco city officials plan to open two new navigation centers after opening one in the Mission last week.

The new center on Van Ness Avenue at the edge of the Mission District is nestled in the loop of the 101 freeway on-ramp. Cars rush by right next to the back patio.

Navigation centers are designed to help homeless residents who may be resistant to traditional shelters, because the rules there aren't as strict. Residents are allowed to stay around the clock with their partners, pets, and belongings.

The site on Van Ness can support 125 people at a time.

"The centers provide the care and services that people need," says San Francisco Mayor London Breed. "Healthcare, services around social workers, and possibly -- hopefully -- permanent housing."

The new center is called "Division Circle," and used to be a CalTrans parking lot. It joins three other navigation centers already in operation: at the Civic Center, in the Mission, and on the Central Waterfront.

"Over the last three years we have served probably close to 3,000 individuals," says Randy Quezada with the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Housing.

Of those people, Quezada says more than half have moved on to "a better situation."