The new Salem Navigation center at 1185 22nd Street SE is the first of its kind in Marion County. It serves Salem's unsheltered people, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as a low-barrier shelter. It features 75 beds and intensive case management to connect people to public benefits, health  services and permanent housing.

Marion County is home to 8% of total homeless statewide, according to the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance "Gaps Analysis" published in 2021. The Mid-Willamette region's population experiences high rates of chronic homelessness.

A recent State of Oregon shelter study identified the need for a navigation center in our region. Traditional shelter models require sobriety upon entry, segregate by gender, and offer little space for personal possessions or pets. Navigation centers help people make a first step in accessing services, allow all genders and do not require sobriety for entry. Navigation centers also help reduce pressure on existing cooling and warming sites as they expand capacity throughout the hottest days and during the cold winter months. 

The purpose of a navigation center is to provide stabilization: sleep, meals, access to getting documents in order, and housing assistance. It is not providing a permanent place to live. It is stabilizing and transitioning to a next positive destination.

Navigation Center Investment

Thank you to our financial and operational partners.

$3 million, City of Salem (ARPA): Building acquisition and renovations

$3 million, Marion County (ARPA): Building renovations

$3.2 million, Oregon Housing & Community Services: Behavioral health services, building renovation and day-to-day operations

$5 million, Oregon Department of Human Services (State): Day-to-day operations

$1.3 million, Mid-Willamette Community Action Agency grant from Oregon Housing & Community Services: Day-to-day operations