Homelessness is a nationwide problem that can be seen throughout Southern California. The economic impacts of COVID are still affecting many people, including people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The pandemic has impacted everyone in the community, especially the homeless population. Many areas frequently accessed by this population modified their services or temporarily closed their indoor services. As a result, more people are out on the streets and are visible to the community.

In an effort to keep people from being homeless, the City’s Homeless Outreach Team, which includes specially trained Vista Sheriff deputies, the City's contracted social workers and County case managers, was created to address issues surrounding homelessness in Vista. The team works varying shifts and days of the week in order to best serve the community as a whole and operates collaboratively with other departments within the City, social services agencies, and local non-profit groups, to assist and reduce the number of homeless in our community.

The City of Vista has been working extensively on significant programs to address homelessness. Since 2020, the City has invested $2.07 million in direct services to help people experiencing homelessness. This figure does not include funds and staff hours addressing the impacts of homelessness on the community. The City is providing various programs to reduce homelessness:

• Homeless Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness
• Homeless Outreach Efforts
• Emergency Shelter
• Encampment Cleanups
• Housing/Rental/Utility Assistance
• Home Share Coordination Services
• Downtown Outreach Program
• North County Homeless Task Force
• A Way Back Home Program

Yes, there are numerous resources available that provide general support, food and shelter in North County. There are three permanent emergency shelters:  

• Operation Hope in Vista accepts single women and families
• La Posada in Carlsbad accepts single men
• Haven House in Escondido accepts single women and men

The City partners with several providers to address  homelessness in Vista: 

• Alliance for Regional Solutions (Shelter Bed Programs)
• Operation Hope and Alpha Project (Case Management) 
• Community Housing Works (Affordable Housing Development) 
• Exodus Recovery (Social Work/Outreach to the unsheltered) 
• Elderhelp (Home Share Program)
• North County Lifeline (Homeless Prevention - financial assistance, case management, financial literacy for residents in threat of becoming homeless)

When attempting to clear trash and debris from each encampment site, there are both quality of life concerns and legal complications, such as, is the encampment located on privately owned or publicly owned property?  This question is important, because private property owners have Constitutionally protected property rights, and those rights mean local governments do not have the authority to unilaterally enter to remove the trash and debris accumulating on their properties. 

The City conducts cleanup efforts of encampments on public city property, along open areas and riverbanks. The City's Homeless Outreach Team actively engages with the unsheltered at the encampments, using the City's contracted social workers, specially trained Sheriff's deputies and other members, to provide health and housing resources, as well as transportation services to a local shelter.

Encampments on or along Highway 78 are properties of the State and fall under the regional Caltrans Department and the City must request that Caltrans remove the encampment and debris. However, even in these cases, the City’s social worker and Sheriff’s deputies will continue their outreach efforts to help the occupants find better solutions to their problems.

The City does not have the authority to clear encampments on private property. Per the City’s Municipal Code, property owners are responsible for addressing encampments on their property. The Sheriff’s Department and the City’s Code Enforcement Division respond to encampment-related issues on private properties and follow normal code compliance procedures per the municipal code, which include removing individuals who violate a no trespass order and/or issuing citations for trash and debris. The City's Homeless Outreach Team also reaches out to offer health and housing resources to individuals living in the encampments. 

• Report an encampment

Individuals on street corners who approach people asking for money, which is sometimes called "panhandling," continues to be a growing concern in Vista. Living in an urban environment, many of us have encountered this situation. And many of us ask the question, “Should I give money?” While there is no right or wrong answer, this is a choice you should make for yourself. But having the insight of those who have worked with the most vulnerable for many years, may be helpful. The City has a Homeless Outreach Team dedicated to responding to quality-of-life and mental health issues and has insight on helpful resources for people who are homeless or asking for money.

Sometimes people give money because they want to help or give to simply avoid a confrontation with someone. Unfortunately, the problem is that you don’t know where the money is going. It might go to food or shelter or potentially supporting destructive behavior.  Giving money doesn’t always make a positive impact.

To help, first, be safe. If you encounter a person being overly aggressive asking for money, call the Sheriff’s dispatch center at 858.565.5200. You can also respond “no”, or “sorry”. If you feel the need to offer something, consider offering water or a gift card for food. To make an impact, consider redirecting your generosity by donating to local organizations that provide valuable services to the unsheltered. 

Organizations are always looking for volunteers, and information 

Giving direct resources to the unsheltered exacerbates health and safety issues with our community. To help, please consider donating or volunteers with the local services providers the City partners with in addressing homelessness in Vista:  

• Alliance for Regional Solutions (Shelter Bed Programs)
• Operation Hope and Alpha Project (Case Management) 
• Community Housing Works (Affordable Housing Development) 
• Exodus Recovery (Social Work and outreach to the unsheltered population) 
• Elderhelp (Home Share Program)
• North County Lifeline (Homeless Prevention - financial assistance, case management, financial literacy for residents in threat of becoming homeless)

Upon observing a homeless encampment, the City appreciates the public reporting it to the Code Enforcement Office at 760.639.6141 or online, or by downloading the City Access Vista mobile app to report it. Providing Code Enforcement with an accurate location and description of the camp will assist the responding officers in locating and contacting the occupants of the camp. Once the camp is located and the occupants have been contacted, what is actually done about the camp is dependent on many factors. The responding officers will work closely with the many resources available to determine the best course of action to take regarding the removal of the camp.

• Report an encampment

To report an encampment in Vista, please use the Report a Problem request. Select "Homeless Encampment" in the drop down menu to report it or download the Access Vista mobile app

• Report a Problem (encampment)
• Access Vista mobile app

Due to policies and procedures, in order for the City of Vista to respond to Code Enforcement issues, we must have the following information which will be kept private and only viewable to City staff:

1. Complainant first and last name.
2. Complainant address.
3. Complainant phone number.
4. Description of request. Photos can be attached. This information is sent to the Code Enforcement Office for review and next steps.

You can also call the Sheriff's Communications Center for non-emergencies at 858.565.5220 or by email Vista.Homelessoutreach@sdsheriff.gov.

Some encampments that are located on public land may be owned by another public agency such as CalTrans or North County Transit District (NCTD). In these situations, the City works directly with the public agency to address the encampment.  However, anyone can report an encampment directly to CalTrans or NCTD.

People experiencing homelessness must follow the law. If you observe any illegal behavior, such as drug use, drug possession, stolen property, theft, etc., report the behavior to 911 if in progress, or call the Vista Sheriff station’s non-emergency number at 858.565.5200 or email: Vista.Homelessoutreach@sdsheriff.gov.

Giving direct resources to the unsheltered exacerbates health and safety issues with our community. To help, please consider donating or volunteer with the local services providers the City partners with in addressing homelessness in Vista:  

• Alliance for Regional Solutions (Shelter Bed Programs)
• Operation Hope and Alpha Project (Case Management) 
• Community Housing Works (Affordable Housing Development) 
• Exodus Recovery (Social Work and outreach to the unsheltered population) 
• Elderhelp (Home Share Program)
• North County Lifeline (Homeless Prevention - financial assistance, case management, financial literacy for residents in threat of becoming homeless)