VisTAY House Opens to Support Homeless Youth

City of Vista officials including Mayor John Franklin, Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez, and Councilmember Corinna Contreras pose for a photo at the August 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the official opening of the VisTAY House. Photo by Maria Bowman.

The City of Vista, in partnership with Urban Street Angels, has opened a new transitional housing facility for homeless youth ages 18 to 25. Known as the VisTAY House, the 12-bedroom property provides 16 beds and comprehensive services designed to help young people stabilize, heal, and transition to independence.

The home officially opened on August 11, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 18 to celebrate the milestone. Mayor John Franklin, Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez, and City Councilmembers joined community partners at the event. Eric Lovett-Maerz, Founder and President of Urban Street Angels, and Drew Moser, CEO of the Lucky Duck Foundation, also participated in the ribbon-cutting and spoke about the importance of the new facility. Within days of opening, VisTAY House was at capacity with program participants.

Ruben, VisTAY House's first resident, speaks to the audience at the official opening on August 18. Photo by Maria Bowman.

VisTAY House marks Vista's first city-backed investment in youth-focused transitional housing. The City purchased the property in October 2024, with Urban Street Angels selected to operate the program and the Lucky Duck Foundation providing $250,000 in start-up funding to accelerate its opening. Long-term public funding through the County of San Diego's Behavioral Health Services Department is anticipated to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

Youth who enter the program typically stay for six to eight months, allowing the program to serve more than 30 individuals each year. Residents receive housing, meals, basic necessities, case management, peer support, and career development through Urban Street Angels' trade school program. VisTAY House is the nonprofit's first facility in North County, filling a critical gap in services for youth at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in the region.

Many community partners from across the region played an instrumental role in opening the VisTAY House. Notably, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a Vista-based company and long-time supporter of public benefit programs in the city, contributed $100,000 and staff time to prepare the home. Volunteers from Home Depot also completed major outdoor improvements, and additional nonprofit partners, including the Youth Assistance Coalition, Humble Design, and Townspeople, are collaborating to provide referrals and ongoing support for the young residents.

Mayor John Franklin, left, with Ruben, VisTAY House's first resident in the facility's green house. Photo by Maria Bowman.

The VisTAY House is San Diego North County's first navigation center for young adultsand Vista's first youth-focused transitional housing investment. It is also the City's second navigation center overall, joining the Buena Creek Navigation Center. Both facilities are part of Vista's award-winning Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness, which also includes the Safe Parking Program and other services designed to connect individuals with shelter, resources, and long-term solutions.