Encinitas Considers Ending Overnight Parking Lot Program for Homeless

Mayor says hotel vouchers could better serve homeless individuals than allowing overnight parking in city lots.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The city of Encinitas is exploring alternatives to its overnight parking lot program for homeless individuals, which operated at the Community & Senior Center until the end of 2025. Mayor Bruce Ehlers suggested that hotel vouchers could be a better option than allowing people to sleep in their vehicles in a city parking lot, as some homeless individuals, particularly women, have preferred for safety reasons. The program, operated by Jewish Family Service, had been funded by regional grants and the city's $1-per-year lease of the parking lot, but ended in December 2025 after funding disputes.

Why it matters

Encinitas' overnight parking lot program was intended to help the 'hidden homeless' - those who had recently lost housing due to financial reasons and needed temporary assistance before becoming permanently homeless. The program's closure raises questions about the city's approach to supporting its homeless population and whether alternative solutions like hotel vouchers could be more effective.

The details

The overnight parking lot program operated at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center, providing 25 parking spots each night for pre-screened homeless individuals. It was established by Jewish Family Service at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and relocated to the community center in 2021. While some homeless individuals, especially women, preferred sleeping in their vehicles for safety, Mayor Ehlers said hotel vouchers could better serve those clients than allowing overnight parking. The program ended in December 2025 after funding disputes between the city and Jewish Family Service.

  • The overnight parking lot program operated from 2020 to the end of 2025.
  • The program relocated to the Encinitas Community & Senior Center in 2021 after initially being located on Leichtag Foundation property.
  • The program ended in December 2025 after funding disputes between the city and Jewish Family Service.

The players

Bruce Ehlers

The mayor of Encinitas who suggested hotel vouchers could be a better option than the overnight parking lot program for homeless individuals.

Jewish Family Service

The nonprofit organization that operated the overnight parking lot program at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center from 2020 to 2025.

Buena Creek Navigation Center

A 48-bed 'low-barrier' housing facility that opened in Vista in 2024 to serve homeless individuals, including those with substance abuse or mental health issues.

Dreams for Change

A nonprofit organization that operates other overnight parking lot programs in San Diego County and has had informal conversations with the city of Encinitas about a potential new program.

San Diego Rescue Mission

An organization that Encinitas has recently contracted with to provide outreach services to homeless individuals in the city.

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What they’re saying

“There are other ways to better serve those same clients.”

— Bruce Ehlers, Mayor of Encinitas (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The city of Encinitas will continue exploring alternatives to the overnight parking lot program, including the possibility of partnering with Dreams for Change or continuing to rely on the outreach services of the San Diego Rescue Mission.

The takeaway

Encinitas' decision to end its overnight parking lot program for homeless individuals highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in supporting their homeless populations. While the program provided a temporary solution, the mayor's preference for hotel vouchers suggests a shift toward alternative approaches that may better address the complex needs of homeless individuals in the community.