Vista Council Urged to Prioritize Safe Housing for Homeless Families

The Standing Committee on Homelessness convened on August 28, 2025, in Vista, San Diego County, to address pressing issues surrounding homelessness in the area. The meeting focused on the current state of homelessness, particularly concerning families and children, and the effectiveness of existing programs.

The discussion began with a report on the demographics of households served by the city's homelessness programs. It was noted that four out of ten households identified their most recent ZIP code as being from the North County area, with four directly from Vista. The report highlighted five exits from the program in July, with three categorized as unknown, one as a positive family reunification, and one as a negative exit.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the plight of children living in vehicles. Committee members expressed deep concern over the moral implications of children being forced to sleep in cars. One member emphasized the urgency of finding indoor housing solutions for these children, stating that all efforts should prioritize their well-being. The discussion included the potential involvement of child protective services if parents refused assistance to secure stable housing for their children.

The committee also reviewed the performance of the Vista Safe Parking program, which has seen a total of 160 exits since its inception, with 53% resulting in positive outcomes, such as permanent housing or family reunification. The average length of stay for positive exits was reported at 33 days, with an occupancy rate of 68% for July.

Members called for more detailed data on families served, particularly regarding their transition to permanent housing. There was a consensus on the need for clearer definitions of what constitutes a "positive exit" from programs, as well as a desire to improve collaboration among service providers to enhance outcomes for families experiencing homelessness.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to gather more comprehensive data and to involve on-site personnel in future discussions to ensure a better understanding of the challenges faced by families in the program. The committee recognized the importance of maintaining a stable workforce among service providers to improve service delivery and outcomes for those in need.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness, particularly for vulnerable populations, and the need for continued collaboration and data-driven strategies to enhance the effectiveness of existing programs.