Vista Council approves contract for Urban Street Angels to open transition-age youth facility

The Vista City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to award a contract to Urban Street Angels to operate a transition-age-youth program at a city property that previously served as an Alzheimer’s facility.

City leaders said the facility — a residential building with 13 bedrooms and on-site program space — will offer housing, occupational training and behavioral health services for youth exiting foster care or experiencing homelessness.

Urban Street Angels representatives and members of the public told council members the organization’s existing programs have produced measurable outcomes. A presenter said that last year 42 people signed up for the group’s trade-school programs, 40 graduated and 39 are living unsubsidized in their own apartments. "They're all across the county because we're seeing their lives change," the presenter said.

A public speaker with lived experience, Z King, described navigating homelessness as a transition-age youth and urged the council to support a consolidated center that co-locates services. "What they're trying to do is really collaborate and bring it together so that we can get all the support that we need in one spot, rather than creating more barriers for ourselves," King said.

Mayor (name not specified) and council members praised the organization and its partners. The mayor said the property — described in public remarks as previously used for Alzheimer’s care — is particularly well-suited to the proposed program and called the decision a fulfillment of a long-running local effort. "This is a great fulfillment, of a vision that really came about by god's hand," the mayor said.

Council Member Contreras moved to award the contract; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Council members who spoke in support included Contreras, O'Donnell, Fox and Deputy Mayor Melendez. No formal conditions or budgetary amounts were stated in the public presentation.

The council and speakers referenced program elements already operating downtown, including occupational training space and a bakery on the first floor; the mayor noted greenhouses and outdoor gathering areas at the Vista site. Several council members invited staff and Urban Street Angels to return with updates and tours once the facility is operating.

The action authorizes the city to contract with Urban Street Angels to develop the property for youth services. Details about contract amount, start date and ongoing city oversight were not specified in the meeting record and were not available in the staff presentation.

The council's approval follows public testimony and a staff presentation; proponents emphasized housing stability, job and trade training outcomes, and co-located behavioral health services as key benefits. Council members said they expect follow-up reporting and opportunities to tour the facility once programs begin.