Prince William County Homeless Navigation Center East

Overview 

When it opens in 2027, the Homeless Navigation Center East (HNCE) will provide a drop-in program as well as overnight, temporary emergency shelter and wraparound services for up to 50 adults. The new facility, which replaces an older shelter on the same site, will include computer labs, laundry facilities, recreational space and services such as case management, physical and behavioral healthcare, employment resources and other services designed to lead to permanent housing. 

We provided crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) services to Architecture Incorporated for the new shelter. CPTED is a multidisciplinary approach that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments to reduce victimization, deter criminal acts, minimize fear of crime and build a sense of community and ownership among people who use a space – all important outcomes for the HNCE. 

Highlights 

• We collaborated closely with Architecture Incorporated and other design-team members, representatives from Prince William County and community stakeholders to incorporate exterior and interior design components that encourage appropriate use and reduce vulnerabilities while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
• First, we performed a site survey and worked with stakeholders to understand how different populations – temporary residents, drop-ins and employees – will use and navigate through the space in a typical day. Next, we completed a threat assessment and used the results to identify threats and concerns and to create a checklist to help the team incorporate CPTED elements intended to mitigate the risk of the identified threats and enhance safety in the shelter. Then we reviewed design deliverables from each discipline, including architectural, interior design, civil engineering, landscaping, lighting and signage, and made additional recommendations.
• One example? The most direct route from the transit center to the old shelter led the public straight to the staff entrance and break area. With CPTED-informed landscape design, plantings and clear visual cues will guide people to the main entrance instead.
• The relationships we built with neighborhood stakeholders also paid off in an unexpected way: A sidewalk connecting a nearby transit center to the HNCE entrance was poorly lit. While it isn’t technically part of the site, we pointed out that better lighting was important to the overall project goals. Our suggestion was accepted, and the enhanced lighting helped improve wayfinding, pedestrian comfort and safety.