Sierra Sun, February 15, 2026 by Petra Molina

TRUCKEE, Calif. – On Friday, the Tahoe Truckee Homeless Action Coalition marked a milestone with a ribbon-cutting and open house for its one-year Navigation Center pilot in Truckee, a new resource designed to support residents experiencing homelessness with shelter, day services and case management.

The coalition announced the center’s target opening date as Feb. 25.

“Today, we should be proud of where we are, what we’ve accomplished and what this community made possible,” said Cindy Basso, founder of Fellowship of Compassion and TTHAC co-chair.

The center will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by Volunteers of America. It will offer six interim housing beds and 10 year-round shelter beds. The 10-person staff includes team members from Reno and the Truckee-Tahoe area. At least two staff members will be on site at all times.

“The weather forecast for the next week reminds me of the importance we have to safeguard our homeless from extreme weather,” said Jan Zabriskie , Town of Truckee Council Member and TTAHC co-chair. “That’s why we have a shelter here. It will assures stability and security for our homeless.”

During the open house, Shelter Manager Justin Jones walked attendees through the facility. He pointed out the front check-in station, where each person entering the building will be screened with metal detectors to prevent weapons, drugs, alcohol or other prohibited items from being brought inside.

Jones said the building’s layout was designed with safety in mind. Open space beneath bathroom stall doors allows staff to identify potential medical emergencies, such as someone fainting inside.

The main common area includes lockers adjacent to the kitchen, tables and shared amenities. Each resident will be assigned one locker and two tote boxes for personal belongings. Meals will be provided on site, with coordination through Meals on Wheels supplying a portion of lunches and dinners.

Coalition leaders said the Feb. 25 opening represents a community-driven effort to address homelessness in Truckee through safety, dignity and comprehensive support services.

“My friend Ryan always says the human condition is non linear. It goes up, it goes down, it goes on a journey like all of us. This is a spot where people can find their next step in life,” said Hardy Bullock, District 5 Supervisor and TTHAC co-chair. “This is a place for food, for shelter, for justice support, wrap around services, substance use disorder counseling, therapy, all the things we all need every day in our lives but some people don’t have access to.”