Encinitas will move its homeless shelter program from Vista to National City in January, a switch the city says will save nearly $400,000 a year.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday, Sept. 16, to direct staff to draft a contract with the San Diego Rescue Mission for exclusive use of up to 12 beds at the organization's South County Lighthouse facility. The council also directed staff to end the city's partnership with Vista at the Buena Creek Navigation Center, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The price tag is the headline number. Encinitas homeless programs coordinator Crystal Pugh told the council the city's share of Buena Creek costs is forecast to jump to $715,000 in the coming year, up from an estimated $488,758 in the most recent fiscal year. The Rescue Mission proposal would cost $318,000 annually for the same 12 beds.

A key difference: Encinitas would pay $87 per occupied bed per night, according to a city staff report cited by The Coast News. At Buena Creek, the city pays a flat rate whether beds are filled or not. Staying at Buena Creek would push the average nightly cost per bed from $112 to $163, the staff report said.

"Buena Creek Navigation Center served its purpose, and I think we're moving up from there," Mayor Bruce Ehlers said at the Sept. 16 meeting.

Councilmember Luke Shaffer said the proposal "makes too much sense right now." Councilmember Marco San Antonio said the lower cost reflects the Rescue Mission's roughly 70 years of operations, compared with Buena Creek's 2024 opening.

Not everyone was sold. Several audience members raised concerns about two trade-offs: the South County Lighthouse is about 30 miles from Encinitas City Hall, 10 miles farther than Buena Creek. And the Rescue Mission caps stays at 30 days, compared with 120 days at Buena Creek.

Housing advocate Bob Kent urged flexibility on the shorter limit. Encinitas attorney Bob Ayers submitted a written comment arguing the city should keep homeless residents closer to home rather than sending them 30 miles south.

A Rescue Mission representative told the council the organization has other programs clients can transition into after 30 days. Paul Armstrong, the Rescue Mission's chief of staff, said the organization is actively seeking a North County shelter location and has money set aside for the project. Encinitas' dedicated beds would transfer to that facility once it opens, according to The Coast News.

Council members also cited benefits of the Rescue Mission program: it accepts families with children, offers transportation and has a medical services program. The Rescue Mission is a certified CalAIM provider, connecting eligible clients with behavioral health services and housing support through Medi-Cal at no extra cost to the city, the staff report said.

The Buena Creek shelter opened March 4, 2024, and served 158 Encinitas clients through June 2026. Of those, 50 moved into permanent housing and 20 into temporary housing. Another 76 either returned to homelessness or could not be interviewed about their outcomes, according to the staff report.

The Rescue Mission already provides Encinitas with two full-time outreach specialists and a housing navigator under an agreement approved in November 2025.

City Manager Jennifer Campbell said she toured the National City facility and called it "clean" and impressive. Staff are expected to bring a formal contract to the council for a vote on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Vista's City Council voted Aug. 25 to fund Buena Creek through Dec. 31, 2027, and plans to assume all 48 beds once Encinitas exits.

Residents can attend the Oct. 14 meeting or submit comments through the city's online agenda portal.