First Campaign - Housing Navigation Center

Fremont for Everyone began in 2018 as Friends of the Navigation Center, in supporting the approval (and eventual realization) of a Housing Navigation Center in Fremont, despite intense public opposition.

Since then, we have broadened our focus to a general housing advocacy organization and this section is a compilation of that first advocacy effort that brought us all together. It is our hope that the lessons learned here can provide other groups some guidance on effective ways of organizing for change.

Visiting Other Navigation Centers

Fremont residents have been visiting the STAIR HNC in Berkeley, including a group that attended on August 5, which included City Staff members.

This site has living accommodations for 45 homeless individuals, and provides them essential services that are needed. There are separate restrooms for men and women, with showers, as well as laundry facilities. They have a common dining area, with refrigerators, microwaves, and toaster ovens. The site also provides some open space for the residents to socialize and hang out.

“I just got back from a visit to the HNC in Berkeley. I was impressed. It is very close to residential areas (2-4 blocks) and close to high end retail (about 4 blocks). Talking to folks, proximity to public transportation sounded like the most important service to be close to. Proximity to jobs was low on the list as a high percentage of clients (around 60%) are permanently disabled. Also, for those who need job placement, they need jobs in proximity to where they will find permanent housing which is generally not near the HNC. Also, the encampments and homeless near the HNC were there PRIOR to the HNC. In fact, the largest nearby encampment is no longer there, so the HNC has reduced the problem in close proximity to the center rather than being a magnet for more unhoused folks. Imagine that.” -DJ

“I found the site to be very organized, neat and clean, and seemed to be well-run. Overall I was impressed and I thought this was a good opportunity to visit this place. I think it’s a valuable resource.” -RS

“I went to the Navigation Center in Berkeley from noon to 3PM and these are my observations. The Navigation center is in a industrial area, The area around the NC was clear of trash,quiet and there were not any people hanging out around the NC.” -MF

Letters to City Council

Sierra Club: Importance of Selection of Navigation Center Site by September, 2019

Letters to the Editor

Less affordable housing weakens Fremont

Hayes Shair
San Jose Mercury News, January 30, 2020

I am a millennial homeowner and father of two, and highly support SB 50. It is a logical next step towards addressing our housing crisis, while retaining local control over our community character.

My wife and I moved to Fremont in early 2014 and fell in love with the diverse, welcoming community. However, due to unaffordable housing prices, we are losing that diversity, as young professionals, retirees and working families continue to be priced out.

Consider this: It is becoming increasingly impossible for newcomers to afford a home without a dual-income stream. That means more commuters, more traffic and more financial stress. That also means fewer community volunteers, youth coaches and active PTA parents.

I want to raise my children to be responsible, compassionate adults with a strong priority toward civic service. Please support SB 50 to help us preserve our quality of life and maintain our strong communities.

Trapping the Bay Area in amber will destroy all we care about

Pass SB 50 to welcome more neighbors to area

Nicolas Ball-Jones
San Jose Mercury News, January 23, 2020

Change is coming and has been among us for some time, though we have tried to stop it. Instead, change has appeared in other ways: driving out our neighbors, creating sprawl and pitting neighbor against neighbor.

Change is here and we must ask: What do we want that change to look like?

Trapping this region in amber will destroy all we care about within it. We must make room for more neighbors or our current neighbors will be pushed out. Everyone agrees with this: We say “immigrants and refugees are welcome” or “love thy neighbor,” but we mean the same thing: that we welcome those neighbors, both current and future.

To welcome more neighbors, we must pass SB 50. It will grow our region in ways that are equitable and sustainable. It will grow our cities around transit centers and jobs. SB 50 is the best opportunity our region has to thrive.

I was homeless — many just lose jobs, then their homes

Having navigation center will help make a difference in people's lives.

Gerri Webster
East Bay Times, August 23, 2019

I am in favor of the homeless navigation center. I, too, was homeless 24 years ago. I received help from programs like the navigation center. I went to college and earned a degree. I own a home in Fremont.

I personally have helped many on their path to finding housing, jobs and becoming productive members in our community.

I have learned, through 20-plus years of working with those that fell on hard times, that not all are addicts or mentally ill. Some may have lost their jobs and, through series of events, lost their homes.

I have found many are just someone who lost their way. Having this program will make a difference — navigating them back housing.

Homelessness risk higher for those with disabilities

Still others may be lured into prostitution and contract diseases or turn to drugs

Jasmine Zartman
East Bay Times, August 21, 2019

I would like to share that I am in deep support of the Housing Navigation Center. As a school psychologist and program specialist, I see a number of students with disabilities ranging from intellectual/ learning disabilities to mental health disabilities. These students are more likely to drop out and are at a higher risk of becoming homeless.

Still others may be lured into prostitution, contract diseases and not have access to proper health care. They may turn to drugs or be cajoled into becoming involved in illegal activities that land them in prison and without options afterward.

Many homeless may also be undiagnosed. The HNC is an additional safeguard for such individuals, with the ultimate goal to receive permanent housing. President John F. Kennedy was a big proponent of supporting disabled individuals (his sister had an intellectual disability) and the HNC is another caring step in the right direction.

Many homeless just fell on hard times–like my father

I hear Fremont’s homeless center foes proclaim all homeless are 'addicts/criminals/mentally ill'

Lisa Stambaugh
East Bay Times, August 20, 2019
San Jose Mercury News, August 20, 2019

It’s disillusioning to hear Fremont’s Housing Navigation Center opponents pronounce sweeping generalizations of “all homeless” being “addicts/ criminals/mentally ill.”

Many of our unhoused neighbors fell on hard times through no fault of their own. Lost jobs. Medical crises. Domestic violence victims. Disowned LGBTQ+ youth.

Who are we to judge anyone’s homelessness circumstances?

In 1945, my father was a homeless, orphaned teen after Polish concentration camp liberation. Thanks to compassionate organizations and strangers he recovered physically, moved here, attended college, served in the Army, raised a family, enjoyed career success, and fully embraced volunteer activities and financial donations supporting others.

In short: He was homeless due to circumstances beyond his control, yet the empathy and kindness of strangers allowed him to recover and “live the dream.”

Raised with an expectation of compassion for those less fortunate, I relish opportunities to pay it forward, including supporting the Fremont HNC and volunteering there after launch.

I want a Homeless Center in my Fremont Neighborhood

But the 'NO HNC on Decoto' group opposes Fremont’s plans for a Housing Navigation Center on my street

Ghada Srour Musselman
East Bay Times, August 20
San Jose Mercury News, August 20

Have you heard of the “NO HNC on Decoto” group that opposes Fremont’s plans to open a Housing Navigation Center (HNC) in the north area of Fremont? Actually, my backyard backs up on Decoto road. I am for the HNC in my neighborhood!

There are already people experiencing homelessness on Decoto sidewalks behind my backyard. They are not dangerous. They need our help. There shouldn’t be concerns about residents’ security; instead, our homeless friends are the ones whose security is at risk.

I encourage all Fremont residents to be well-informed about the center and attend the planned workshops to disperse their fears and negative perceptions. Listen to facts and discuss the details with experts and city staff. Open your eyes and souls to reason and compassion. Trust city staff’s process to select the best location for the center and stop organizing against the center in Decoto.

‘Compassionate’ in Fremont rabidly oppose homeless plan

Fremont leaders must OK either homeless center site

Nancy Coumou
East Bay Times, August 17, 2019

While steadfastly declaring their compassion for homeless residents, many Fremont residents nevertheless vehemently oppose having a planned Housing Navigation Center (HNC) placed anywhere near where they live.

What should Mayor Lily Mei, Vice Mayor Raj Salwan and council members Vinnie Bacon, Teresa Keng, Rick Jones, Jenny Kassan and Yang Shao do?

The right thing: Without haste approve an HNC at either of the two selected sites.

Your commitment to the HNC upholds the Compassionate City Value Statement that Fremont adopted in 2017, deploys state grant dollars earmarked for an HNC, addresses the shelter crisis that was declared last year and achieves its most fundamental goal: alleviating the suffering of some unhoused neighbors by helping them transition into permanent housing. Fremont residents — and especially the most vulnerable among us seeking shelter — are relying on leadership. In September, implement the HNC at a finalized site to show that in Fremont we express compassion through deeds, not words.

Homeless center is not a threat to our children

According to RAINN, 93% of all violence against children is perpetrated by someone they know

Brannin Dorsey
East Bay Times, August 16, 2019
San Jose Mercury News, August 16, 2019

I have been a Fremont educator for the past 20 years, with my school within walking distance to BART. Our students, many as young as 7 years old, frequently walk to and take BART on field trips several times a year without incident.

For 20 years, our students have not been followed nor harassed on or near the BART station by persons experiencing homelessness.

The homeless are not our enemy. According to RAINN, an anti-sexual violence organization, 93% of all violence against children is perpetrated by someone they know. There are registered sex offenders within a 2-mile radius of my school who represent a far greater threat than our unhoused neighbors.

Climate change, a culture of hate and fear, and poverty are the real issues harming our children. Let’s be good examples and support a Housing Navigation Center.

What Fremont Neighbors are Saying…

“I fully support building a navigation center in my community, in my neighborhood, and near my house. YES HNC!!!” -DJ

“When we do good, we feel good. Hopefully I can convey this feeling to others against an HNC in their neighborhood.” -JL

“It feels good to care about others.” -TG

“I’ve been a resident of Fremont since 1984 and have seen the city changed so much over the years. I am fully on board with any program that helps the less fortunate get back on their feet.” -AP

“My thanks to all of you who have spoken out in support of those less fortunate than we are… it is good to see some of us speaking out in favor of basic human rights in a time of crisis and dysfunction. To those who oppose efforts to help the less fortunate, I would urge you to look into your souls and try to find the compassion that makes us human.” -RP

“I am 100% in agreement to help the Fremont homeless in any way possible. I feel the homeless need our help and people down on their luck need a second chance, and this center could help Fremont folks rebound their lives.” -SC

“I think it’s so necessary and would help out the homeless folks a lot. They are people and should be treated as such. I don’t see a problem or any downside at all to building one” -EL

“We are only as strong as our weakest link. Disregarding our neglected parts of our society will only weaken the whole community” -JV

City of Fremont Documentation

Materials from City of Fremont

  • Focusing on Homelessness in Fremont (includes: reports on Fremont’s homeless count, the Homeless Task Force, updates on Navigation Center, Mobile Hygiene Unit, affordable housing coming to Fremont, Encampment Cleanups, Safe Parking program, Winter Shelter Report, resources, how to report concerns, how you can help)

City of Fremont News Releases

Fremont Resident Stories

Drake went from being homeless to getting housed, buying a car and getting into school. This is what happens when we help those on the brink of homelessness!

Navigation Center Stories

Please check out these Navigation Center success stories from the Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco (ECS)

LH, a decorated veteran and well-known and skilled musician

AG, a veteran and nurse, who moved into his own place and was paired with a service dog to help with his seizures

K, homeless for 20 years, and now returning to school

FP, a decorated and injured veteran, who served in both Beirut and Brunei

D, who after 15 years of homelessness, moved into her own place and returned to work as a taxi driver

Mr. and Mrs. X and their dog Najo, who after 20 years of homelessness, are now housed as a family

Meet Our Unhoused Neighbors

Local high school student Natalie has compiled a set of stories about people she’s met in Fremont. Her website, The Forgotten, shares a few insightful profiles.

Natalie says: “I'm a high school student from Fremont, California, a large suburban city in Silicon Valley plagued with high housing and living costs. Most citizens who live here are decently well off, shielded from the misfortune of poverty and homelessness. However, as with any other city, homelessness is still a pressing issue of concern. Through the platform of social media I hope to combat the stigmas of homelessness and bring to light each individual’s unique story.”