Aurora selects Advance Inc. to operate Regional Navigation Campus

As the city of Aurora moves forward with preparations for the Regional Navigation Campus, slated to open in late 2025, Advance Inc. has been selected as the facility's operator to help transition individuals from homelessness to permanent housing.

"Advance's prior experience and holistic approach to helping individuals transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency will be an asset to the campus," said Jessica Prosser, Aurora's Director of Housing and Community Services. "Their expertise will be invaluable as we work to deliver comprehensive support and services to those experiencing homelessness in Aurora and the region."

Advance was selected through a competitive request for proposal process, emerging as the top candidate among three non-profit applicants. The contract, approved by the Aurora City Council at the regular meeting on Sept. 23, includes an initial term of three years with the option to extend.

"We are excited to partner with the city of Aurora to operate the navigation campus and to reach our goal of reducing homelessness in Aurora by 50%," said Jim Goebelbecker, Advance's Executive Director. "We look forward to creating pathways for people experiencing homelessness to achieve their highest personal level of self-sufficiency and a sense of hope for the future."

The selection panel, which included representatives from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties, as well as city staff, evaluated the proposals based on a set of criteria, including experience on similar projects, data gathering capabilities, proposed timing of occupancy and programming, and experience on operations fundraising.

The $2 million operations agreement, funded by Aurora's general fund and marijuana tax revenue, covers shelter and case management services, among other services for the unhoused in the region. Advance will also be responsible for securing additional public and private funding to sustain campus services.

Beginning Oct. 1, Advance will take over the Aurora Day Resource Center's operations from Mile High Behavioral Healthcare. This handover will ensure uninterrupted services as Advance prepares for its expanded role at the navigation campus. Services at the center, such as employment assistance and cold-weather emergency shelter, will remain unchanged during this transition.

The city will host another round of community engagement events later this fall to introduce Advance to local business owners and residents near the navigation campus and provide project updates. The public is encouraged to sign up for project updates at EngageAurora.org/NavigationCampus.

In January 2024, Aurora City Council approved the purchase of the property at 15550 E. 40th Ave. in Aurora (formerly the Crowne Plaza Hotel) for its regional navigation campus to support individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability using a "work first" approach.

As the city prepares for the regional navigation campus, the Pallet Shelter community at Restoration Christian Fellowship Church, located at 15660 E. Sixth Ave. and managed by The Salvation Army, will close on Sept. 25. This date was selected as Restoration Christian Fellowship is moving forward with plans to build affordable housing on its property. The city supports these efforts for more sustainable, longer-term housing for residents in need, and provided financing for the project. The Salvation Army and city staff have been assisting current shelter residents in finding shelter and other resources. The Safe Outdoor Space at The Salvation Army, 11701 E. 33rd Ave., will remain operational. The city is considering phasing out the Pallet Shelter program as it works toward focusing resources on the forthcoming navigation campus.