NATIONAL CITY, Calif. — The first permanent emergency homeless shelter opened Wednesday in National City. The San Diego Padres partnered with the San Diego Rescue Mission to unveil the first of their 2024 Peter Seidler Legacy Projects.
The shelter and navigation center, called the South County Lighthouse, is located in an old church on Euclid Street. This project is substantial for the area, which has had a history of not being able to meet the needs of the number of people experiencing homelessness.
The shelter will provide a safe place to sleep, hot meals, clothing, necessities and access to showers. There will also be laundry and wrap around services, as well as a Padres-branded multi-purpose room. There will be 162 beds available.
San Diego County's latest point-in-time count study found 174 people living outside or in vehicles throughout National City.
The shelter is referral-only, meaning no walk-ups are allowed. Residents will generally be referred by outreach workers or police. People living at the shelter will receive weekly case management sessions to look for options for rehabilitation and stable housing.
Just months ago, National City discussed having a sleeping ban imitating San Diego's. However, the city council rejected the proposal. At one point, the National City mayor announced that they also wanted to open the shelter before considering a sleeping ban. National City is currently conducting a feasibility test.