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Council asks staff to rewrite Encampment Resolution Fund application and return June 24 after public concerns
Summary
Council directed staff to revise portions of the city's proposed Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) application — notably the "housing first" wording — and return June 24 for further consideration after residents raised questions about eligibility, enforcement and Rescue Mission practices.
Encinitas City Council on Tuesday voted to revise the city’s draft application for the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) round five and return the item for consideration on June 24.
Staff proposed applying for roughly $3.9 million over four years to fund outreach, case management, interim and pathway housing, and a dedicated team to address encampments along the I‑5 corridor and nearby connected areas (including transit center and two park‑and‑ride lots). The proposal named the San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) as the primary partner and projected the program would serve about 100 unduplicated individuals over four years, with an anticipated 40 moving into interim housing and 20 into permanent housing.
Dr. Crystal Pew, the city’s homeless programs coordinator, told the council ERF round five is more flexible than previous rounds: "The ERF program requires a housing first approach which I will discuss in more detail," she said, explaining the round allows multiple housing pathways — including low‑barrier, recovery and transitional programs — rather than only immediate placement into permanent housing.
Public commenters were sharply divided. Supporters said the grant leverages outside funding and fills service gaps; opponents said the application’s phrasing (including provisions that do not require sobriety or that limit evictions for substance use alone) risked creating a regional magnet and undercut local accountability. "I'm concerned because it says no requirements for sobriety, treatment or service participation to be selected for a program," one resident said.
After extended public comment and a detailed staff presentation, the council voted unanimously to direct staff and the city attorney to revise language to more closely reflect the Rescue Mission’s model and address community concerns, and to bring the amended application back to council on June 24 for additional public comment and final direction. Council members emphasized that submitting an application does not obligate the city to accept funding or execute an HCD agreement if proposed terms prove unacceptable.
Staff said the ERF funding would be one‑time and would not require a city general‑fund match; staff also noted that HCD may accept applications on a rolling basis and that a second window could open in September if funds remain. The council’s referral allows staff to adjust the application to clarify eligibility criteria, the role of SDRM, program reporting and the mix of housing pathways before any final decision to accept an award and execute agreements.
