After months of community discussions, the Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to join a one-year pilot project to serve East County residents experiencing homelessness. The $1.5 million project was proposed by the Tahoe Truckee Homeless Action Coalition (TTHAC), which brings together local governments, nonprofits and other community organizations and residents.
A Navigation Center will be at 12315 Deerfield Drive in Truckee and is expected to open at the end of January or early February. This model provides a safe place for people to stabilize, connect with case managers, and access essential resources like showers, meals, and healthcare referrals. Volunteers of America, a national nonprofit, will run daily operations and is now recruiting staff.
Supervisor Hardy Bullock said that while he expects there to be future challenges that partners will have to work through, he thinks the center is a good fit for the community. He praised community members for their efforts to address this issue.
“It’s been a very, very long journey,” Bullock said Tuesday. “…There have been dozens of meetings with a lot of heartache and arm wrestling. Thanks to everybody who stuck with it.”
Under the agreement, the County will join the Town of Truckee and Tahoe Forest Hospital in each contributing $360,000 for a navigation center that will provide 10 shelter beds, 6 interim beds, day services and case management for those experiencing homelessness in the North Tahoe and Truckee region. On Tuesday, Supervisors approved those revenue-sharing agreements as well as a contract with Volunteers of America and authorization to execute a lease with Palisades Drive LLC for the center location once final negotiations are complete.
Former Mayor and Councilmember Jan Zabriskie shared, “I was honored to represent the Town of Truckee through the Tahoe Truckee Homeless Action Coalition and to see this collaborative effort reach a tangible milestone. The Navigation Center reflects years of coordinated planning and partnership, culminating in the identification of a site, an experienced service provider, and a pilot framework that allows our community to respond more effectively to residents with the greatest needs. It is a strong example of collaboration translating into practical, outcome-focused action.”
“The Navigation Center model, providing a continuum of services from shelter beds to day services, will be a critical resource for our region, addressing a long-standing gap in the local service system. This new resource is expected to reduce strain on first responders, including hospital, fire, and law enforcement personnel, while improving coordinated care for individuals experiencing homelessness,” Ted Owens, Tahoe Forest Hospital System and TTHAC member.
The remaining cost of the pilot project is expected to be paid by Placer County ($75,000), a grant from Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation ($200,000) and community donations ($132,057).