City of Encinitas
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Community Resources
The City of Encinitas collaborates with many agencies and non-profit organizations to provide resources to those experiencing homelessness, as well as develop solutions for reducing or preventing homelessness.
If you see a person experiencing homelessness, or an encampment, please submit a request through the MyEncinitas App or through Report an Issue Online. This is an efficient way for the City to get the appropriate resources deployed to assist with the concern. If the request is being submitted during a time when City Hall is closed, please contact the Non-emergency Sheriff's Dispatch Line: 858-868-3200. For emergencies, please dial 911.
Showers of Blessings
St. Andrew's Food Pantry: Every Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm
Address: 890 Balour Dr, Encinitas
Department of Motor Vehicles
DMV, California ID
Address: 4005 Plaza Drive, Oceanside
Phone: 1-800-777-0133
Health and Human Services
CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief, CalWORKs
Address: 3708 Ocean Ranch Blvd., Oceanside
Phone: 1-866-262-9881
Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Free legal support
Address: 216 S. Tremont St., Oceanside
Phone: 1-877- 534-2524
North County Inland Career Center
No-cost employment and training services
Address: 649 W Mission Ave Unit #2400, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: 1-619-319-9675
Social Security Administration
Social Security cards and benefits
Address: 2160 El Camino Real, Oceanside
Phone: 1-855-287-4793
Buena Creek Navigation Center (BCNC)
The City of Encinitas and the City of Vista partnered on the opening of the Buena Creek Navigation Center which began operating on March 1, 2024. The BCNC is a Low Barrier sheltering opportunity for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Cities of Vista and Encinitas. Encinitas has exclusive use of 6 rooms, or 12 beds. The shelter is semi-congregate meaning that individuals will share a bedroom with one other person. Individuals are provided with 3 meals daily, showers, laundry, case management, peer support, access to healthcare on-site through Vista Community Clinic, and more. This site accepts PC290s on a case-by-case basis but does not accept registered arsonists. The property is pet-friendly when space is available. Referrals are made exclusively through CoC registered outreach programs that operate in the either City.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities operates a year-round emergency shelter for men only.
La Posada de Guadalupe
2478 Impala Drive, Carlsbad
1-760-929-2322
Community Resource Center
The Community Resource Center operates an emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
Contact: 1-760-300-3238.
Those in need of assistance outside of these hours, can email CRC intake desk at intake@crcncc.org or call (760) 300-3238. Those in need of Domestic Violence resources can call the CRC 24 hour hotline at (877) 633-1112
Domestic Violence Shelter
Provides shelter bed availability and resources for all programs in San Diego County
Phone: 1-888-385-4657
North County Shelter Network
A full list of shelter opportunities in North County is available on the Alliance for Regional Solutions webpage.
Operation Hope North County
Temporary shelter for families and women; includes educational and enrichment programs in the evenings
Phone: 1-760-536-3880
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Provides affordable health care and supportive services to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons. Call 1-619-515-2300 to schedule an appointment or learn more about services available.
TrueCare Encinitas Medical-Dental-Vision
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Address: 1130 2nd Street, Encinitas
Phone: 1-760-736-6767
Beginning June 2020, the HOPE program partners a Sheriff’s Deputy from the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) team with a HHSA social worker to make contact with individuals experiencing homelessness in Encinitas and connect them with various resources to assist them in finding permanent housing. If you have concerns related to encampments or unsheltered individuals please report through MyEncinitas or contact the San Diego County Sheriff Department North Coastal Station non-emergency line: 858-565-5200. For emergencies, please dial 911.
Encinitas was added to the HMIS trust network as of September 9, 2024. We may be required to collect some personal information by law. Other personal information that we collect is important to run our programs, to improve services for homeless and at-risk persons, and to better understand the need of homeless and at-risk persons. We only collect information that we consider to be appropriate as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) Data and Technical Standards Final Notice, dated July 30, 2004 Section 4.2.1. We are legally required to keep this information confidential and are subject to the HMIS Notice of Privacy Practices (linked below). Paper copies of this notice are available upon request.
HMIS Mandatory Collection Notice
HMIS Notice of Privacy Practices
CSA San Diego County- Fair Housing Services
Contact Us — CSA San Diego County (c4sa.org)
Phone: 1-619-444-5700
San Diego Housing Resources Directory
The County of San Diego prepares the Housing Resources Directory to provide a comprehensive list of the housing services and resources across the San Diego County region.
San Diego Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Exodus Recovery Inc
The San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) at 1-888-724-7240 or TDD/TTY Dial (711) is the initial access point for anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis in San Diego. The licensed clinicians at the ACL are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. ACL clinicians are trained in crisis intervention, and they will determine if MCRT intervention is the most appropriate response for callers. For more information, visit www.exodusrecovery.com.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (1-800-273-8255) network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country is now available via call or text on the new three-digit dialing code: 988. Access is available through every land line, cell phone and voice-over internet device in the United States.
988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365, connecting those experiencing a mental health, substance use or suicidal crisis with trained crisis counselors. You can also call if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
988 call services are available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in over 150 languages.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Coastal Roots Farm – Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand
Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas offers a pay-what-you-can farm stand featuring fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and eggs. Visitors who are unable to pay may receive up to $30 of farm-fresh produce per visit at no cost.
Address: 441 Saxony Rd, Encinitas
Hours: Thursdays 12:00pm – 3:00pm, and Sundays 10:00am – 3:00pm
For more information, please visit Coastal Roots Farm Stand
CRC's Food and Nutrition Center
Provides healthy food and nutrition education to families in need.
Food distribution: Monday through Friday 8:30am-12:30pm.
Address: 650 Second St., Encinitas
Phone: 1-760-753-8300
Feeding San Diego
There are distribution centers throughout the county
https://feedingsandiego.org/find-food/#_locate
St. Andrews Church Food Pantry
St. Andrews Church sets up a supermarket-style food pantry to serve the community. Fresh produce, meat, canned goods, rice, beans, baby food, etc. is available to anyone who needs it. No proof of need is required.
Address: 890 Balour Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Hours: Every Thursday from 3:00pm-4:00pm
St. John Parish Food Pantry
The St. John Parish Food Pantry is open to anyone, each Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. No proof of need is required. It is located currently in the church parking lot and accessed from Balour Drive. The pantry is run mainly as a drive-through at this time. Those without vehicles or access to cooking facilities may walk up to get a bag of ready-to-eat items.
San Diego Food Bank
There are food bank resources throughout the County. Go to San Diego Food Bank Locator to locate one a food bank resource near you.
Venture Church
Drive-thru food distribution.
Address: 777 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas
Hours: Wednesdays 8:00am-9:00am
San Diego Rescue Mission
Beginning December 2025, the City of Encinitas is proud to introduce Homeless Response Services, a new program in partnership with the San Diego Rescue Mission designed to provide compassionate, proactive support to individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.
Through this initiative, the San Diego Rescue Mission will deliver dedicated street outreach and housing navigation services, offering a lifeline to those in need. The program is funded in part by opioid settlement funds and represents a significant expansion of the city’s efforts to address homelessness with both urgency and dignity.
What the Program Offers
- Street Outreach: Two full-time outreach and case management professionals will engage directly with unhoused individuals where they are—on the streets, in parks, and in other public spaces—building trust and connecting them with vital services.
- Housing Navigation: A full-time housing navigator will work one-on-one with clients to identify housing opportunities, reduce barriers to entry, and support long-term stability.
This program is the most robust outreach effort the City of Encinitas has ever implemented and is designed to meet people with empathy, provide consistent support, and help them transition from homelessness to housing.
Community Resource Center (CRC)
Community Resource Center (CRC) provides essential services to individuals and families experiencing housing instability, food insecurity, domestic violence, elder abuse, and other crises in North County San Diego. Services are eligibility-based and delivered through coordinated entry (how our county connects people experiencing homelessness to housing and services), case management, and trauma-informed support.
Key Program Areas & Services
Food & Nutrition Services
- Food programs for those facing food insecurity, including a client-choice pantry that allows households to select food that meets their needs
- 1-760-300-3238 intake@crcncc.org
Housing & Supportive Services
- Individualized case management to support housing stability, employment, and access to public benefits
- Program-specific support for eligible participants, which may include rental assistance, transportation support, and other help designed to address underlying needs that make stable housing difficult
- 1-760-300-3238 intake@crcncc.org
Domestic Violence Services
- Confidential emergency shelter and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and their dependents
- Domestic violence advocacy and support groups
- Elder abuse advocacy, safety planning, and supportive services for older adults
Counseling Services
- Trauma-informed counseling for adults, children, and families
- CRC operates a confidential emergency shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence. 24-Hour Hotline: 1-877-633-1112
- Eligibility, availability, and hours vary by program. 1-760-536-5302 counselinginfo@crcncc.org
For the most current program information, eligibility criteria, and flyers, please visit:
https://crcncc.org
Interfaith Community Services
Interfaith Community Services is an organization consisting of faith-based communities and public and private entities to offer a range of services and programs including rental assistance and case management to low-income residents and those experiencing homelessness. For more information, call the Coastal Service Center: 1-760-721-2117 or for Veteran’s Services: 1-760-529-9979.
2-1-1 San Diego
2-1-1 San Diego is a resource and information database that connects people with community services through a free, 24/7 phone service and online database. Residents can search a directory of over 6,000 health and human service programs. North-county specific resources can be accessed at 2-1-1 North County and the ARS has a 2-1-1 Resource Guide.
Coordinated Entry Access Sites
Click here – Coordinated Entry Access Sites List – for contact information for organizations that are a starting point for getting connected to available housing resources. They are referred to as “Access Sites.” Each one differs in what it can provide. It is recommended that you call ahead to learn more about the options available at the Access Site before visiting their physical location.
Connecting with an Access Site does not guarantee you will receive direct assistance with housing or shelter. It is important that you stay in touch with the Access Site regularly by updating your contact information or reporting a major change in your situation.
For more information about Access Sites and other resources, please visit: RTFH Get Help
County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) Family Resource Centers
Go to the HHSA Family Resource Centers List to see locations and services offered by Family Resource Centers throughout the County.
Aging & Independence Services (AIS)
San Diego County program offering information and assistance for older adults, those living with disabilities, caregivers and family members. Elder and dependent adult abuse support also available.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Phone: 1-800-339-4661
Elder Law and Advocacy Center
Helps disadvantaged older people with issues like elder abuse, nursing home abuse and neglect.
Phone: 1-858-565-1392
ElderHelp of San Diego
Provides seniors with housing support, including a home-share program and other services including transportation, home safety and maintenance, care coordination and a food pantry.
Phone: 1-619-284-928
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
Care managers coordinate with clients, their families and health care teams to identify and coordinate support services at home, such as paying bills and shopping.
Phone: 1-858-495-5885
RideFACT
Service for seniors (60+) and people with disabilities who don't have adequate transportation options available. They offer affordable ride service that take participants directly from their homes to their destination.
Phone: 1-888-924-3228
Serving Seniors
Provides wraparound services to seniors, including nutritious meals, housing, health and social services, lifelong learning and advocacy opportunities.
Phone: 1-619-235-6572
Inpatient Residential Programs
Casa Raphael
Men’s inpatient recovery
Phone: 1-760-630-9922
Address: 993 Postal Way, Vista
Fellowship Center
Men’s inpatient recovery
Address: 737 E. Grand Ave. Escondido
Phone: 1-760-745-8478
Kiva Learning Center for Women and Children
Women’s, with and without children, inpatient recovery
Phone: 1-619-465-7303
Recovery and Wellness Center
Men’s and Women’s inpatient recovery
Address: 550 W. Washington Ave., Escondido
Phone: 1-760-489-6380
Outpatient Programs
North Coastal Regional Recovery Center
Outpatient programs for adults over the age of 18
Address: 1701 Mission Ave #310, Oceanside
Address: 1211 W Vista Way, Bldg C, Vista
Phone: 1-760-721-2781 x 1402
North Coastal Women’s Recovery Center (NCoWRC)
Address: 3355 Mission Ave, Ste. 239, Oceanside
Phone: 1-760-462-5581
North Inland Women’s Regional Recovery Center (NIRRC)
Address: 200 East Washington Avenue, Suite 100, Escondido
Phone: 1-760-741-7708
North Inland Women and Adolescent Recovery Center (NIWARC)
Address: 751 Rancheros Drive, Suite 5, San Marcos
Phone: 1-760-761-0515
Sober Living Residences
1st Step Sober Living
Safe interim housing for individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use.
Hours: Call 7 days a week between 7:00am-10:00am
Address: 3808 Adams St., Carlsbad
Phone: 1-760-230-9353
Medically Assisted Treatment Programs
Oceanside Comprehensive Treatment Center
Address: 1906 Apple St, Ste 3, Oceanside
Phone: 1-760-547-1280
Jewish Family Service 'On The Go' Transportation
Offers eligible individuals rides to medical and personal appointments. Riders receive up to eight rides a month. Rides must be reserved at least one week in advance. To Enroll: 1-858-637-3210
Medi-Cal Transportation Service
Medi-Cal offers transportation to and from appointments for services covered by Medi-Cal through your Managed Care Plan. This includes transportation to medical, dental, mental health, or substance use disorder appointments, and to pick up prescriptions and medical supplies. For assistance please call your managed care plan provider.
Kaiser: 1-833-226-6760
Blue Shield: 1-877-433-2718
Molina: 1-844-292-2688
These discount programs offered at SDG&E focus on support with utility bills. A couple of the programs available are the CARE energy bill discount and FERA energy bill discount. Applicants must already participate in certain public assistance programs or meet the income guidelines.
VA San Diego Healthcare System Resource Guide
The Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System has published a Resource Guide with resources available to veterans.