Why this matters

As San Diego County sees more residents enter homelessness than exit it each month, limited shelter capacity in North County has sparked tension between two cities located 30 miles apart.

Officials from Encinitas and National City, both coastal communities in San Diego County, are at odds over the best way to provide shelter for people without housing.

Encinitas voted unanimously to reserve 12 beds at the San Diego Rescue Mission South County Lighthouse shelter, drawing sharp criticism from National City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Jose Rodriguez.

Rodriguez broke an unwritten rule by addressing another city council on Wednesday night. He argued that Encinitas should solve its own homelessness issues locally rather than relying on distant options.

He urged Encinitas to handle its share before requesting more from National City. Rodriguez noted that National City had approved a 162-bed Lighthouse shelter despite strong local opposition.

His remarks drew pushback, and he was eventually removed from the meeting. Encinitas officials stated he had incorrect information and that the arrangement was a short-term fix after Vista took all beds at the Buena Creek Navigation Center. They also accused him of using the session for his mayoral campaign.

Deputy Mayor Jim O Hara told Rodriguez he was there to campaign. When Rodriguez returned to the podium, Mayor Bruce Ehlers declared him out of order multiple times and had a sheriff deputy remove him, noting the episode made good video content.

Two opposite cities

Encinitas and National City differ sharply in income levels and their strategies on housing and homelessness.

Rodriguez told reporters afterward that Encinitas must use its own land and funds to address local homelessness. He described the situation as a pattern of wealthier northern cities overlooking South Bay communities and failing to communicate directly.

Recent census data shows Encinitas with a median household income of 162000 dollars and a 7.4 percent poverty rate, compared with National City figures of nearly 67000 dollars and 14.6 percent. Average home prices sit below 700000 dollars in National City, where most residents rent, while Encinitas homes average 2 million dollars.

Though the cities have similar populations, their unhoused counts vary. Encinitas reported 100 unhoused residents in its latest count, while National City exceeded 300.

National City Mayor Ron Morrison criticized Rodriguez visit, calling it a desperate campaign move that exaggerated the shelter issue. Morrison spoke with Ehlers on Thursday and confirmed the 12-bed deal is temporary.

Ehlers noted the Rescue Mission is exploring options in Escondido without a set timeline. Morrison plans to contact the mission this week for details and to request notification of changes, while asking that National City residents receive priority.

National City Councilmember Marcus Bush, also running for mayor, said the issue of wealthier cities sending unhoused people south deserves discussion but should not involve solo actions. Bush stressed the cities can address it directly rather than through political gestures.

Rodriguez maintained he was advocating for his constituents and would have raised the matter regardless of timing or election season.

Encinitas adopts stricter homelessness policies

Encinitas will pay up to about 380000 dollars annually for the National City beds, depending on usage. Continuing at Buena Creek would have cost 715000 dollars this year per city reports.

The city already holds a yearlong 344000 dollar contract with the Rescue Mission for outreach and housing assistance.

After initial approval in September, the item appeared on the consent calendar until Councilmember Joy Lyndes requested discussion and suggested the city manager contact her National City counterpart.

Ehlers highlighted the Rescue Mission treatment-first model, which aligns with the current council. This preference led the city to reject a nearly 4 million dollar state grant for clearing encampments in June.

The state and many experts prefer a housing-first model. Since the new council majority began in January 2024, Encinitas has tightened rules on homelessness and reduced some services.

Last year the city added enforcement measures to its homelessness plan and broadened the definition of camping to curb encampments and vehicle living. The safe parking program run by Jewish Family Service since 2020 ended after funding talks failed, removing 25 secure spots for people to sleep in vehicles at the Community and Senior Center.