Map of Central Cities with states in different colors and the text "Central Cities Navigation Center" next to it.
Aerial view of the Central Cities Navigation Center building at 13871, showing the modern single-story facility, front entrance with the colorful mural visible, service vans in the parking area, and surrounding Garden Grove neighborhood.

Services Offered

Policies & Procedures

The Central Cities Navigation Center (CCNC) is thoughtfully designed to provide a safe, dignified, and service-integrated environment that supports stabilization and pathways to permanent housing. Located on an 18,250-square-foot site, the approximately 11,363-square-foot facility represents 100% adaptive reuse of a former industrial warehouse, transformed into a climate-controlled, ADA-compliant, trauma-informed residential space. Organized around a central communal hub, the layout promotes engagement, accessibility, and efficient service coordination. The 85-bed navigation center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and has a variety of services and amenities to help residents achieve self-sufficiency within 120 days.

Design

Rows of beds with privacy dividers inside the CCNC dormitory, decorated with colorful acoustic panels on the wall
Commercial washers and dryers in the CCNC on-site laundry room
Small computer workstation area with desks, monitors, and a green accent wall for resident use at the CCNC.
Bright common area with stainless steel counters and bar-height seating inside the Central Cities Navigation Center.
Stainless steel commercial kitchen with food prep shelving and serving trays at the Central Cities Navigation Center
  • Separate dormitories for men, women, and couples

  • Flex rooms for specialized needs

  • Removable bunk beds for flexible configurations

  • Full-service kitchen and dining area

  • Showers and restrooms

  • Laundry facilities

  • Medical room

  • Two client service rooms with computer access

  • Intake and case management offices

  • Acoustic wall treatments and murals

  • Secure lockers and personal storage

  • Dog run and pet accommodations

  • Outdoor recreation and respite area

  • Controlled access and perimeter security

  • Off-site parking for residents and staff

  • Shuttle service and transportation

Amenities

History

The CCNC represents a regional collaboration dedicated to addressing homelessness in Orange County’s Central Service Planning Area. Developed through a partnership among the Cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, and Fountain Valley, the CCNC reflects a shared commitment to delivering compassionate, coordinated, and outcomes-driven solutions to unsheltered homelessness.

The project originated in 2022, when the partner jurisdictions formalized a Tri-Cities Memorandum of Understanding to develop a centralized, service-rich interim housing facility. An underutilized industrial property at 13871 West Street was identified as the preferred site, and the cities collectively advanced acquisition, funding, and development. Groundbreaking took place on June 13, 2023, initiating the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the facility. The project celebrated its ribbon cutting on June 5, 2024, in partnership with the County of Orange, with operations commencing shortly thereafter.

Supported by $11.55 million in County funding and additional State Encampment Resolution Funding, the CCNC exemplifies how strategic regional collaboration and adaptive reuse can transform dormant infrastructure into vital community-serving space. Since opening, the center has served hundreds of individuals through structured stabilization stays focused on healthcare coordination, income growth, and permanent housing placement.

Today, the CCNC stands as a model of shared governance and regional innovation—demonstrating how cities can pool resources to deliver measurable, humane, and sustainable solutions to homelessness.

About the Operator: Volunteers of America Los Angeles

125+

years of service since 1896

2,800

interim housing & shelter beds

Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) is the designated operator of the CCNC. Founded in 1896, VOALA is one of Southern California’s oldest and largest non-profit social service organizations. For over 125 years, they have been dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community, helping them realize their full potential through programs that promote self-sufficiency and independence.

Expertise in Housing

As a leader in homeless services, VOALA operates a vast network of programs across Southern California, including:

  • Capacity: Managing over 2,800 beds of interim housing and shelter.

  • Continuum of Care: Expertise in everything from street outreach and housing navigation to financial assistance and long-term stabilization.

Commitment to Orange County

While their history is rooted in the greater Los Angeles region, VOALA has expanded its mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care directly to Orange County. By operating the CCNC, VOALA brings decades of "best-practice" experience to our local community, ensuring that individuals in the Central Service Planning Area have access to the resources they need to transition into permanent housing.

Our Shared Approach

VOALA's management of the CCNC is guided by a Health-Based Model. Rather than focusing solely on the obstacles our participants face, VOALA emphasizes their innate strengths and health. Their team provides wrap-around supportive services, including:

  • Mental health and stabilization resources

  • Substance use counseling

  • Employment assistance and job training

  • Life skills development

By combining deep compassion with highly effective, data-driven programs, VOALA ensures that every participant at the CCNC has the support system necessary to "rewrite their story."

Your Questions, Answered

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