VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)— A one-of-a-kind homeless shelter in North County officially opened its doors Monday.
The city of Vista teamed up with Urban Street Angels and Lucky Duck Foundation to introduce the VisTAY House, the city’s first transitional housing unit for homeless youth.
The VisTAY House will provide 16 beds and uplifting services to help young homeless people between the ages of 18-24 transition into a life of self-sufficiency, while promoting methods for healing and stabilization.
What was initially built as a nursing home for Alzheimer’s patients, the city purchased the property when the nursing home closed and transformed it into a transitional housing facility.
The VisTAY House is located in the heart of Vista at 727 Ascot Drive and offers a safe haven for residents, while addressing issues which homeless youth may encounter, such as aging out of foster care, mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
“The opening of VisTAY House marks a historic milestone in our commitment to equity, dignity, and inclusion for all youth in Vista,” said Mayor John Franklin in a press release. “By partnering with dedicated organizations like Urban Street Angels, we’re not just providing shelter, we’re building brighter futures for our community’s most vulnerable young people, and others disproportionately affected by homelessness.”
According to Franklin, the facility will provide access to physical and mental healthcare, along with connections to over 20 trade schools, empowering residents to thrive.
Dan Plante contributed to this report
Leave a comment