The Nimitz Navigation Center converts a former motel in San Leandro into a hybrid navigation center and supportive housing community for homeless and at-risk families. Funded through California’s Homekey program, the redevelopment creates 29 studio units with essential services and communal spaces designed to help families stabilize and transition into permanent housing.
Work included:
- Full renovation and adaptive reuse of an existing motel for supportive housing use
- Communal amenities: Dining room, commercial kitchen, laundry, and shared service spaces
- Support service areas: Navigation office, case management, and resource rooms
- Building systems upgrades: New plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and fire/life-safety systems
- Energy efficiency improvements: Sustainable systems and durable finishes to reduce long-term operating costs
- Site work: Improved accessibility, landscaping, and secure resident circulation
Converting a motel into a facility that functions first as a navigation center and later as permanent supportive housing required careful sequencing and flexibility in design. Systems such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical had to be upgraded in phases to keep portions of the building operational during the navigation phase. Common spaces were designed to handle the heavy use of transitional shelter while remaining adaptable for long-term residential living. The project also prioritized sustainability and durability, ensuring the property will remain safe, cost-efficient to operate, and supportive of residents’ stability for years to come.
