History

The River Avenue Navigation Center opened in September 2022 and provides support for adults who need assistance transitioning from homelessness into safe and stable housing. The Navigation Center provides low-barrier emergency shelter for up to 75 adults. Our focus is to utilize a harm reduction & housing-first approach to support individuals in reducing barriers to housing and working together with participants to obtain long-term stable housing.

Although we utilize a 90-day case management model, we do not exit after 90 days as long as participants are working towards their goals. We will not perpetuate the cycle of homelessness by setting unrealistic standards for achieving housing.

This program is funded by Lane County Health & Human Services, the City of Eugene, City of Springfield, and State of Oregon.

Congregate Shelter

The Navigation Center is communal style living. There are three different dormitories separated by male identifying residents, female identifying residents, and a co-ed dorm for folks with pets. Yes, we allow pets!

Communal living means there are bunk beds. Residents have access to a top or bottom bunk. Bottom bunks are often quickly filled and reserved for those who may be older or experience some form of disability that inhibits mobility.

Before applying, please check to ensure a bed is available for you and your needs.

Eligibility Guidelines

Accessible Entry

Application Process

The Navigation Center welcomes any individuals who are 18 years of age or older. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate children. While we do our best to keep couples in the same dorms, that may not always be guaranteed due to limited bed availability.
We require all residents to be able to complete their Activities of Daily Living independently, without aid. This includes using the restroom, eating, getting dressed, and controlling mobility on your own. We are unable to support individuals with incontinence issues. The Navigation Center does not provide onsite medical care.
We are a low barrier shelter and welcome any individuals regardless of mental or behavioral health issues or active addiction. However, it is imperative that residents are able to comprehend program policies and expectations for the safety of themselves, other residents, and staff. If staff are unable to redirect a behavior, this communal setting may not be the best fit for you.
The Navigation Center does not accept individuals who have been charged with or committed sexual crimes. We do not allow sex offenders.

Accessing the River Avenue Navigation Center has never been easier! Individuals who are seeking shelter just need to fill out the application. The application is only open when there are beds available. ESS does not maintain a waitlist, as available beds are first come first serve.

You can check for open beds through the Lane County Shelter Finder site: Emergency Shelters for People who are Unhoused in Lane County - Lane County

When there are beds available, you can submit an application here: Shelter Referral Application - Click Here to Apply

If you do not have a phone or access to technology, you can always stop by and our staff will assist you.

HMIS Privacy Policy

Re-Applying as a
Previous Resident

If you have previously been enrolled at the River Ave Navigation Center and wish to re-apply, please see the following guidelines.

Regardless of your reason for exiting, we ask everyone to wait at least 90-days before re-applying. This gives everyone the chance to access shelter who may not have had the opportunity before.
If you were asked to exit for program non-compliance, please check in with staff before re-applying.
If you have been approved to re-apply, you still need to submit an application through the above steps when a bed is available.

Onsite Services

Our Case Management model creates individualized support plans that target the diverse needs of our participants. In doing so, we foster a person-centered environment that focuses on housing first while addressing immediate supports along the way. We aim to meet our residents where they're at in their journey to stabilized long term housing.
The Navigation Center provides three meals a day with balanced nutrition in mind. We work with clients upon intake to ensure that we can meet any specific dietary needs.
We have showers and laundry facilities onsite in addition to all necessary hygiene products.
The Navigation Center works with community partners such as FITT, FUSE, Laurel Hill, WhiteBird, HIV Alliance, etc. to provide clients with a supportive network that ensures a continuum of care that maintains support even after clients exit into housing.

Onsite Peer Support Specialists assist residents with engaging in healthy habits and behaviors. PSS leads onsite groups focused on overcoming mental health barriers and navigating addiction and recovery.
The Navigation Center supplies multiple forms of transportation to support residents with getting to their needed destinations. Currently, we provide all residents with an LTD bus pass.
The Navigation Center acknowledges the difficulty of success without financial aid. Once approved for housing, we can pay a move in deposit and first and last month’s rent. We also supply a ‘move-in kit’ full of essentials for your new place!

Comment Form

The Navigation Center actively works to address any impact our presence may have on the community. The Navigation Center meets monthly with the River Road Community Organization, the Santa Clara Community Organization, the City of Eugene Sponsor, and the Lane County Sponsor. Throughout these years of meetings, we’ve all come together to publish the Good Neighbor Agreement. The Good Neighbor Agreement mutually shares the concern to preserve the livability and safety of the residents and business owners in the neighborhood and support the safety and wellbeing of the participants of the Navigation Center.

In the event your concerns are not addressed, we welcome you to submit a comment form. This form is anonymous, if you would like a response back, please provide your contact information. We ask that this form is used respectfully and reserved for those who feel they are directly affected by the Navigation Center.

We appreciate any constructive feedback and will work to immediately remedy any issues. For more information regarding our community engagement, please see the Community Message below!