Prince William County Breaks Ground on Homeless Navigation Center–East

Prince William County leaders recently broke ground on the Homeless Navigation Center–East, a new facility designed to provide emergency shelter and coordinated services for adults experiencing homelessness. 

The 34,000-square-foot navigation center will provide temporary emergency shelter for up to 50 adults and will include a daytime drop-in center. The project supports Prince William Board of County Supervisors’ priority in advancing service delivery by expanding coordinated services that help residents move from homelessness toward stability and permanent housing. 

Members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors recently gathered with county officials, staff and advocates to mark the groundbreaking at the former site of the Bill Mehr Drop-In Center at 14716 Potomac Mills Road in the Neabsco Magisterial District. 

The board has long prioritized efforts in serving those experiencing homelessness. In 2003, the board opened the drop-in center, which was renamed the Bill Mehr Drop-In Center in honor of the community leader whose volunteerism helped establish the program. 

“Today is an important day because it is marking a new beginning for people who need help,” said Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson. “I truly hope that this will be the beacon of light that is needed for our residents, our friends, our neighbors who find themselves unsheltered.” 

Together, the center and the drop-in program will expand coordinated services for people experiencing homelessness by strengthening collaboration with community partners, addressing individual needs and helping reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in the community. The new center will help participants move toward permanent housing through comprehensive case management and access to services, including employment assistance, health screenings, nutrition support and behavioral health treatment. 

“The goal is simple and clear – to help individuals navigate the system more effectively and move toward permanent housing. By strengthening coordination among community partners and centralizing services, this center will reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness and create real pathways to stability,” said Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry. “Today, we break ground on a building, but what we are truly building is opportunity. An opportunity for stability, an opportunity for dignity and an opportunity for a new beginning.”

Phyllis Jennings-Holt, Director of the Department of Social Services, echoed Angry.  

“Today is about more than just turning dirt with a shovel,” Jennings-Holt said. “Today represents hope. It represents dignity. And it represents our collective commitment to assuring that persons in our community have a pathway to stability, support and a place to call home if and when needed.” 

The navigation center is about coordinating the services that connect people with solutions and provide a clear path from homelessness and crisis to stability.  

“We know that homelessness is complex. Addressing it requires more than just a bed for a night,” said County Executive Chris Shorter. “That is why this facility, this center, is so very exciting and why we're all excited today, because it is designed to support our neighbor's experiencing homelessness in their journey to permanent housing.” 

Community partners also emphasized the long-standing collaboration that has helped shape the county’s response to homelessness. 

“We're excited today for this groundbreaking and... we're going to continue this partnership with the county and the community at large to help carry out the legacy of Bill Mehr and end homelessness,” said Idris O’Connor, Chair of the Cooperative Council of Ministries. 

Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin this spring, with completion and occupancy anticipated in fall 2027. 

For more information about homelessness services in Prince William County, visit pwcva.gov/socialservices. 

Visit the county’s YouTube channel to watch the Homeless Navigation Center-East Groundbreaking.