Hundreds Protest Proposed Homeless Navigation Center In Fremont

FREMONT, CA —Hundreds of people protested at Fremont City Hall Tuesday night as the City Council discussed whether to place a proposed Navigation Center for the homeless behind City Hall or on property on Decoto Road.

Residents who live near both locations are opposed to the center, which will house 45 homeless people at a time while providing them with services aimed at getting them off the streets permanently.

According to the city, "Both locations are within one-half mile of food services and bus stop/bus services to BART, utility connection points abut property, and located outside of a fault trace zone."

The navigation center will be operated by Bay Area Community Services, which currently operates the Berkeley navigation center and two navigation centers in Oakland.

According to the City of Fremont, the homeless population here grew by 27-percent over the past two years, from 479 to 608.

Fremont Police statistics show that criminal activity by the homeless population is slightly higher than the general population, and includes drugs, trespassing, petty theft, and battery/domestic violence.

Two community meetings are planned for August on the proposed sites:

Wednesday, August 14, 4 – 7 p.m., City Hall, 3300 Capitol Ave.
Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., in front of the Centerville Library, 3801 Nicolet Ave.

A decision is expected this fall.

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