Cities, like nations, tell stories about themselves through what they choose to protect, preserve, fund, build and celebrate.
Over the decades, Encinitas has been known as the poinsettia and flower capital of North County, the home of the Self-Realization Fellowship, a yoga destination and the “Surfing Capital” recognized by National Geographic. Its coastline, lagoons, beaches, open spaces and parks also define what makes the city unique.
Today, Encinitas is at a crossroads. The city must decide whether it will protect and preserve the qualities that have made it special or allow those characteristics to be diminished.
What is the community’s vision for Encinitas? Do residents want the city to be known for its four cannabis dispensaries, numerous bars, expanding homeless population, growing number of nonprofits and high-density housing driven by state mandates? Or will the city maintain local control to protect community character, address traffic, regulate development, improve public safety and preserve residents’ quality of life?
At its June 24 meeting, the City Council voted 4-1, with Councilmember Joy Lyndes opposed, to reject the state’s four-year Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant because of the conditions attached to the funding.
After California has spent billions of taxpayer dollars on homelessness with limited success, the state continues shifting responsibility to local governments. The grant required participating cities to adopt a Housing First approach that would provide housing without requiring treatment or services and would allow residents to decline treatment while remaining in taxpayer-funded housing.
The proposal also included using three local beach-area hotels for homeless housing and providing bathrooms and water stations at encampments rather than eliminating them. The council deserves credit for reviewing the grant details and deciding that those conditions were not in Encinitas’ best interest.
Instead, the city will continue its partnership with the San Diego Rescue Mission, established in November 2025, to provide services and treatment to reduce homelessness while also cleaning up encampments.
Going forward, the city should also examine how unpermitted and unregulated nonprofits operating in Encinitas affect its homeless policies, economic development efforts and public safety goals.
With neighboring Carlsbad recently reporting $4.29 million in homeless-related spending over six months, Encinitas should continue exercising local control, practice fiscal responsibility and carefully evaluate grant funding that carries significant long-term obligations.
The City Council deserves recognition for making what I believe was the right decision for Encinitas, its residents and the city’s future.
E. Thompson
Encinitas
