National City, California

Encinitas is pursuing an agreement with the San Diego Rescue Mission to reserve up to 12 beds for its homeless residents at the South County Lighthouse shelter in National City, more than 30 miles away. The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 16 to pursue the deal after Vista signaled it wants full use of the Buena Creek Navigation Center, a shelter the two North County cities had shared since 2024. Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers called the arrangement more financially responsible than the roughly $715,000 the city spent on its previous Vista beds, and said it is meant to be temporary until more North County shelter capacity exists.

National City Councilmember Jose Rodriguez opposes the plan, arguing wealthier Encinitas is shifting responsibility onto a financially strained community. National City Mayor Ron Morrison is less concerned, noting the 162-bed shelter already serves a regional population, including about 30 Encinitas residents over the past year. The Rescue Mission says it hopes to open a new Escondido shelter that would eventually absorb the reserved beds. The dispute reflects broader tension over how San Diego County communities share homelessness costs and resources.