VAC Opportunity Campus is powered by the VAC and brings together organizations from across Columbia to reach a common goal—empowering people to Make Home Happen.
Located in Columbia, the VAC OC will be equipped with an Emergency Shelter, the Cindy Mustard Resource Center, and a Medical Clinic. For the first time in Boone County history, collaborative partners will come together in one place to empower our unhoused neighbors to start anew.
VAC Opportunity Campus is powered by VAC and brings together organizations from across Columbia to reach a common goal—empowering people to Make Home Happen and start anew.
For the first time in Boone County History, several agencies across Columbia will come together, in one place, to offer comprehensive services to our homeless neighbors.
These agencies are part of our Collaborative Support Network and include our Campus Partners as well as more than 15 area organizations.
VAC Opportunity Campus was designed using evidence-based research based on Housing First Principles which provides housing to homeless individuals with very few barriers.
The goal of the Campus is to move our unsheltered neighbors from the Shelter to housing as quickly as possible, making homelessness a brief, rare, and non-recurring experience.
The emergency Shelter will be a low-barrier facility, operating 24/7 and 365 days a year to provide comprehensive services for individuals experiencing chronic and unsheltered homelessness in Boone County.
The shelter facility, utilizing Housing First Principles, will be 30,174 square feet with 150-bed capacity, a kitchen, laundry facilities, showers, secure storage, kennel facilities, a computer lab, and housing case management resources. The Shelter will serve 500 individuals annually, including 100 individuals daily with overnight shelter, 80 individuals daily with meals, and 60 individuals daily with day center resources.
Shelter services will include:
The Cindy Mustard Resource Center will be 18,980 square feet and house wraparound services, office space for partner agencies, a medical clinic, and the VAC agency offices. This facility will provide a transformational experience for its clients—bringing together multiple agencies wholly for the benefit of those experiencing hardship and homelessness, all without the need for transportation.
The Medical Clinic building, approximately 5,000 square feet of the total 18,980, will be leased to a medical partner. Services provided will include: medical, mental health, substance abuse, and dental.