The Ask
In 2019, Kern County was experiencing a dramatic increase in its homeless population, which had risen by 95 percent since 2017. Having outgrown its existing shelter infrastructure, the county wanted an entirely new facility to house, serve and eventually transition its homeless population into long-term supportive and affordable housing. Emergency funding was secured with the aim of having the facility up and running as quickly as possible.
How Sprung Delivered
Embracing a rapid-design approach, Sprung supplied the building materials for the new M Street Navigation Center in a matter of weeks. Thanks in large part to the ease of assembling the all-bolt, aluminum substructure, the facility was completed and operational within four months.
Consisting of two bright, spacious, fully insulated Sprung structures on 1.5 acres of land, the M Street Navigation Center provides sleeping quarters for 150 people at night and serves 300 during the day. The center includes laundry facilities, a warming kitchen, a dining hall, an intake lobby, a medical room, a break room, shower and bathroom facilities and plenty of administrative space. It also provides personal storage for all 150 overnight guests, as well as a dog kennel and a wellness day center that resembles a café.
The Specs
- 60’ wide x 75’ long administration building
- 80’ wide x 105’ long bridge shelter
- Fully insulated
- Assorted accessories
- Daylight panels
