Encinitas expands Rescue Mission contract in ‘bureaucratic fix’

By Gary Warth

May 13

A new contract approved by the Encinitas City Council will allow the San Diego Rescue Mission to rent units for homeless clients in a more timely manner, fixing an issue that sometimes caused people to lose housing opportunities.

Council members on May 13 unanimously agreed to expand the Rescue Mission’s contract by $25,000, bringing the total to $368,981.

Encinitas Homeless Program Coordinator Crystal Pugh told council members that the city’s current two-week processing timeline for renting units is often too long for landlords who want immediate payments.

“These delays mean qualified individuals and families lose housing opportunities even though they meet all the requirements,” Pugh said. “This challenge would be eliminated with this contract amendment by allowing San Diego Rescue Mission to make timely rental payments for qualified clients to landlords, removing a major barrier to securing units in a competitive market.”

The expanded contract technically would not affect the current fiscal year’s budget because it will be from the city’s existing advanced planning budget for fiscal year 2025/26 and the fiscal year 2026/27 operating budget, she said.

“I one hundred percent agree this is a bureaucratic fix,” Councilmember Luke Shaffer said, echoing a statement made by a resident during the public comment portion of the discussion. “I think this just helps out the residents that are already getting this assistance, and so I applaud the staff for making this happen and bringing it to us.”

The city’s contract with the Rescue Mission began in November and runs through the end of the year. Funding for the contract came from a combination of opioid settlement dollars and general fund resources.

Under the contract, the Rescue Mission verifies clients are Encinitas residents, are ready to be housed and have a financial housing stability plan.

Verification of residency can include identification documents, benefits enrollment and other official records.

Pugh said financial housing stability ensures clients are prepared to maintain a lease in their own name and are part of the Rescue Mission’s long-term housing plan, which includes case management and proof of a stable income.

The city has been providing rental assistance for about three years and has spent about $88,000 on the program.