Navigation Center FAQs

The Navigation Center operates under a three-year contract funded by Lane County. For the current fiscal year (2026), the center has been awarded $2.3 million to support essential operations. This funding covers staffing wages, utilities, security services, janitorial, maintenance, as well as client supplies. These supplies include daily meals, bedding, hygiene products, cleaning materials, and resources necessary for securing housing- such as assistance with obtaining identification or job readiness materials.

Lane County publicly posts project proposals which any Lane County agency can bid on. Projects are then evaluated based on criteria specification and quality of proposal. The winning bid is then awarded the project.

Equitable Social Solutions is simply on a reimbursement contract. We cover and pay for all the expenses upfront and are then reimbursed by Lane County for providing services. We comply with all the same funding requirements, reporting, and auditing as every other shelter project. 

We do not generate any revenue from residents or their insurance providers; all services are offered entirely free of charge. Equitable Social Solution is able to cover expenses primarily through other government contracts, grant funding, donations, and indirect costs.

Our financial independence minimizes reliance on unpredictable funding streams, strengthens organizational stability, and enables us to expand services more efficiently. ESS is committed to providing above-average compensation for our staff, which not only supports employee retention and well-being but also contributes to the growth of the local economy.

Equitable Social Solutions has been providing an array of homelessness prevention and housing supports since 2013. With programs in Eugene, Oregon; Chicago, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and San Diego, California, Equitable Social Solutions has helped thousands of households achieve housing stability. 

Equitable Social Solutions also operates other emergency shelters in Lane County! For more information about those programs, please check our website.

The folks employed by Equitable Social Solutions in Lane County are Eugene natives. Growing up and having families of their own here, we are well versed in the culture and the challenges that Lane County experiences. Many of us have worked in other local human services programs for years prior to employment here. We are equally invested in our Eugene area as all of you. 

If you would like to learn more about the ESS leaders or the company, please see their site: About Us | Equitable Social Solutions

It sure does and we are happy to share our data with you! 

This last fiscal year (July 2024-June 2025) we served 173 individuals, all those folks got off the street and were able to access critical resources. We had 105 total exits last year. 

40 individuals exited to permanent, stable housing ( a rental with or without subsidy), that's a 40% positive exit rate! 

The national average for the United States is 45% and the average rate for Lane County positive exits is 25%. We are doing an excellent job supporting folks in obtaining permanent stable housing and right in line with outcomes from other local shelters.

The Navigation Center does not allow sex offenders to enroll in the program in support of local schools and educational institutions in the neighborhood. We run criminal background checks on all our participants. 

The Navigation Center strictly prohibits the use, storage, or distribution of illicit substances onsite and in the surrounding areas. Any substance use is immediately identified and swiftly addressed. Continued non-compliance with this policy results in a program exit.

Our low barrier status just means we accept folks who may be struggling with active addiction, and we do not require sobriety for program entry- but we do encourage it. We connect folks to resources to support them in their recovery and provide onsite groups and individualized therapy to motivate those who may be struggling.

The Navigation Center does indoor and outdoor perimeter checks every 30 minutes to watch for any potentially unsafe behavior. We also monitor a series of security cameras throughout the property.

While we cannot control the actions of individuals who are not enrolled in our program, we remain committed to supporting our neighbors by sharing our security personnel who monitor nearby properties for unsafe behavior. If you encounter individuals exhibiting potentially unsafe behaviors, we encourage you to contact your local crisis line or law enforcement for assistance.

The Navigation Center is not a walk-in facility; we exclusively serve the 75 individuals enrolled in our program. From the outside, our center remains calm, organized, and well-maintained. While occasional loitering may occur, we address it promptly through engagement or by respectfully asking individuals to leave. Our strict no-loitering and no-visiting policy ensures only enrolled residents are permitted on-site, enforced by trained staff and security for the safety of residents and neighbors.

Based on regular meetings with neighboring businesses and the Eugene Police Department, the River Road area has long had a visible population of unhoused individuals. This is not a new trend, nor is it unique to our center’s presence. 

The River Road area has many low-income and affordable housing options to meet the needs of the current demographic. The overall poverty rate in the River Road area is 3% higher than the overall rate for Oregon according to the Census Reporter.

Many social service providers are located here to accommodate the needs of this population. Several factors may contribute to the overall presence of unhoused individuals or groups:

• Accessibility: River Road is served by public transit and offers proximity to essential services and affordable stores, which makes it more navigable for people without vehicles. 

• Geography: The area provides tree cover and open space that, while not legal to camp in, is often less actively patrolled than other areas like downtown. 

• Affordability: The nearby businesses and discount stores are frequented by people with limited income, including those who are housed but on the brink of homelessness.

Our presence adds structure, surveillance, and support. We regularly engage individuals outside our facility, offer services, and work closely with EPD and outreach teams to reduce negative impacts on the community. When space allows, we unsheltered individuals into our program and off the streets. If we are at capacity or unable to enroll someone, we immediately refer them to other local shelters or service providers — ensuring no one is left without options or guidance.

Our program operates with strong emphasis on maintaining a safe, clean, and peaceful environment for both residents and neighbors. The Navigation Center adheres to all Lane County guidelines and undergoes regular compliance inspections to ensure accountability. To that end, we implement several daily practices to minimize our footprint and foster trust:

• Quiet Hours: In effect from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM—no outside speakers or music are allowed. 

• No Loitering: Residents are not permitted to gather outside or invite non-residents onto the property. 

• No Substance Use: Illegal substances and paraphernalia are strictly prohibited on-site. 

• Neighborhood Clean-Up: Staff and residents regularly pick up litter in and around the facility. Earlier this year, we hosted a neighborhood clean-up, working alongside nearby businesses to collect trash throughout the area—including the shopping center, car wash, and the beltline corridor. 

• Safety is non-negotiable. We maintain 24/7 on-site security who monitor both our facility and the surrounding area. Security personnel are also stationed outside during key school hours— 7:00–9:00 AM and 2:00–4:00 PM—to ensure a safe passage for nearby students. In addition, our staff and security respond to emergencies in the surrounding River Avenue area. In fact, we have assisted in saving the lives of multiple non-residents experiencing overdoses or medical crises near the center 

• Community Engagement: We meet monthly and quarterly with Lane County, the City of Eugene, EPD, and local Community Organization Groups. These meetings are open to all—please join us if you want to be part of the ongoing dialogue. We always welcome your feedback and there are many places to leave comments or contact us on our website!

There may in fact be more crime in your area, but it is not a direct cause of the Navigation Center. Crime in any area is influenced by a complex mix of social, economic, environmental, and systemic factors. Areas with high poverty rates, poor educational and graduation rates, and large disparities in wealth often experience higher levels of crime, especially property crimes and theft. 

Vacant buildings, empty lots, poor lighting, and urban design also lead to increased illegal activity. If you are seeing an uptick in crime or calls for service, it’s likely due to displacement from other areas. When one neighborhood does sweeps or encampment closures, those problems often get pushed to neighboring area without solving root causes.

At the Navigation Center, we take community safety seriously. Our residents are held to clear standards of conduct through our Good Neighbor Agreement, which outlines expectations for respectful behavior both inside and outside the building.

We maintain a visible presence around our property. If a resident does not comply with our expectations, especially in ways that negatively impact the surrounding community, that can be grounds for dismissal from the program. We report any criminal activity we witness to the appropriate authorities. It’s important to note that:

• The majority of our residents are elderly or disabled individuals, many of whom are not likely offenders. 

 • While some participants may have past justice system involvement, we do not frequently see arrests onsite related to criminal behavior in the community. 

• Our presence provides oversight and structure, which actually helps reduce disruptive activity—not increase it. Our surveillance and consistent pressure often deter folks from committing crimes around the area. 

 • Our security measures only work for our property as we do not have the authority to patrol or police other people's property. 

As always, we encourage you to report any criminal activity to the appropriate parties and we will continue to do our part in making this neighborhood safe and inviting for all.

We completely understand how frustrating it is to see your neighborhood littered with trash—it’s something no one should have to deal with. That’s why we’re committed to keeping our community clean and beautiful. Our team performs daily trash pickup on and off our property and regularly hosts Clean Up Events, where staff and residents join forces to collect litter all the way from our center to the Beltline and back. 

We also support nearby businesses by helping with graffiti removal, contributing to a more welcoming and well-maintained environment for everyone. If you’re passionate about keeping our neighborhood clean, we’d love to have you join us at our next cleanup event!