Encinitas City Council expands homeless action plan with new Buena Creek Navigation Center

The City of Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission meeting on May 20, 2025, focused on the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in the city, highlighting the implementation of the city's Homeless Action Plan (HAP) and recent initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness.

The HAP, adopted in February 2021, serves as a strategic framework for improving the quality of life for residents by preventing and reducing homelessness. It outlines three primary goals: enhancing community capacity to end homelessness, decreasing the number of individuals experiencing homelessness, and increasing the availability of both temporary and permanent housing. City staff reported that partnerships with various organizations, including the County of San Diego and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), have been crucial in executing these goals.

Recent data indicates a rise in homelessness in Encinitas and the greater San Diego region, with the annual point-in-time count showing increases in both unsheltered and total unhoused populations from 2023 to 2024. The county's outreach efforts, which include daily connections to self-sufficiency programs and case management services, aim to assist those at risk of homelessness.

The meeting also discussed the Buena Creek Navigation Center (BCNC), a collaborative effort with the City of Vista that opened in March 2024. This low-barrier center provides interim housing and support for adults experiencing homelessness. Encinitas has access to six rooms at the center, which has served 56 residents in its first year. However, challenges remain, including transportation limitations and some individuals not being ready for housing.

Additionally, the Jewish Family Services' safe parking program, which offers resources and support for individuals living in vehicles, has served 224 unhoused individuals since its inception in February 2020. The program has seen a positive impact, with many participants transitioning into permanent housing.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to addressing homelessness through collaborative efforts and community engagement, while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges in effectively managing and reducing homelessness in Encinitas. The next steps involve continued partnerships and the refinement of outreach strategies to better serve the community.