Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center (PCIRC), Plumas County’s leader in homeless services and coordinated entry provider, broke ground in 2022 on the County’s first Navigation Center under the State of California’s Low Barrier housing Model pursuant to Government Code Section 65660 – 65668 (AB 101, Weiner, 2019). 

A Low Barrier Navigation Center means a Housing First approach, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving individuals and families from homelessness onto the path toward permanent housing. This unique rural housing model will provide temporary living facilities for residents while case managers work to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income sources, public benefits, health and wellness services, crisis and trauma support, counseling and ultimately access to permanent housing.

The construction of the North Star Navigation Center will provide immediate emergency shelter services to the homeless, chronically homeless, transitioning offenders and parolees, the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) for seniors and/or disabled, and former foster youth in Plumas and Sierra Counties.

The main building includes a 20-bed capacity emergency shelter with congregate beds and non-congregate bedrooms for families, associated congregate and non-congregate bathrooms and shower facilities, day use room and training areas, laundry facilities, a kitchen and dining room, outdoor patio area, administrative offices for staff, and storage.

Intensive case management and supportive service staffing will include a Navigation Center Manager, Housing Navigator, Behavioral Health Counselor, Alcohol and Drug Counselor, HDAP Disability Advocate, and Grief Recovery Specialist with the primary purpose to bring all activities in-house and offered on-site. Program participants will also have access to PCIRC’s free Legal Clinic to address any pending issues. Educational and group training opportunities will be provided to North Star Navigation Center residents including budgeting and money management, general life skills, Addiction Recovery Skills Group, 24/7 Dad & Mom parenting classes, anger management courses, journaling in trauma recovery, resume and job preparation, and workforce development skills. Access to GED completion and job internships in various career fields will also be available. Expected outcomes include:

·       Increasing access to emergency housing.

·       Delivery of a comprehensive array of supportive services.

·       Reducing the number of days of homelessness.

·       Increasing access to permanent housing and housing stability.

·       Developing a ‘systems change’ in how Plumas County addresses homelessness for its most vulnerable residents.

The North Star Navigation Center will integrate additional educational and career opportunities into programing as services grow. The site will support a Restorative Gardening Project focusing on internal and external growth and healing. Engagement in community service is a core belief of Plumas Crisis Intervention & Resource Center. Residents will be offered opportunities to give back throughout the year. Through intensive case management, staff will work with residents to identify each person’s passion and promote engagement in that work and in their future.