Call for Proposals: Referral-Based Navigation Center Services

Call for Proposals: Referral-Based Navigation Center Services

The City of Santa Barbara ("City") is requesting proposals from qualified nonprofit organizations and community-based providers (and/or collaborations) to operate a referral-based Daytime Navigation and Workforce Development Center in downtown Santa Barbara to support individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The selected provider will deliver a trauma-informed and housing-focused program that offers daytime access to basic needs, individualized case management, and pathways to permanent housing and stability.

Daytime navigation services are a critical component to emergency shelter and street outreach programs, providing a consistent, service-rich environment where clients can connect with a variety of service providers, workforce resources, and housing opportunities.

The Navigation Center is intended to:

• Serve as a centralized hub for coordinated entry, housing navigation, and wraparound services;
• Connect participants to employment, benefits, behavioral health, and housing opportunities; and
• Reduce barriers to accessing housing and other essential supports.

The City is open to creative and innovative proposals for facilitating a referral-based operating model that both serves individuals in need as well as proactively collaborates with our wide network of regional services providers, local businesses and business associations, as well as community leaders. The goal is to select a qualified provider to operate an existing facility at 621 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara, California.

The Request for Proposals is linked below and we welcome your consideration or distribution to your networks of organizations that may be qualified and interested in submitting a proposal.

Proposals will be received electronically until 5:00 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), Monday, November 24, 2025. Please submit proposals to Barbara Andersen, Senior Assistant to the City Administrator, at [email protected]. The receiving deadline is absolute. Please allow time for technical difficulties and expected delays. Late or incomplete RFPs will not be accepted.

Questions can be submitted to Barbara Andersen at [email protected] by 5:00 P.M. PDT Monday, November 17, 2025.

RFP for Referral-Based Navigation Center Services