The Chula Vista Village at Otay provides temporary stay, typically ranging from 90 to 120 days, often referred to as “transitional” or “interim” shelter.  The Village provides safe, bridge housing, as well as stabilization and supportive services, to prepare them for the most appropriate longer term or permanent housing interventions. The facility is not a day center, does not take walk-ins or "drop-off" by outside agencies.  As such, the facility is not open to the general public for safety, privacy and wellbeing of the clients. Referrals and program enrollment to the Village coordinated through the Homeless Outreach Team and CityNet, the shelter contracted and can be contacted directly via email. For a closer look at the facility, please view the video prepared in anticipation of the opening.

Understanding the complexity and different level of individual service needs, the City relies on it’s partnerships for additional housing options such as the Salvation Army, ECTLC, McAlister, as well as client-eligible programs targeted for special populations such as seniors and veterans.  

To serve victims of domestic violence the City partners with SBCS.  The facilities operated by them are the first-place victims of domestic violence turn to after experiencing a domestic crisis.

Emergency shelters provide support services and short-term stabilization for individuals and families before finding appropriate housing that meets their long-term needs.

A complete list of partnering agencies is provided in the Resource Guide.

The program provides targeted, very low-income individuals and households with utility assistance, deposit, and rent subsidies for up to two years as they improve their financial situation and obtain self-sufficiency.  Eligibility for the program is determined by a Homeless Outreach Team Case Manager.  

The City has participated and collaborated with a number of housing developers to produce affordable housing opportunities for our very-low, low, and moderate income residents.  Please access the complete list and map of units available in the City.

The program reconnects individuals experiencing homelessness with their families and loved ones willing to provide stable living environments, by helping participants build support systems and establish links to long-term housing.

The program forms part of the City’s outreach and diversion efforts, as it allows teams to reach individuals early in their homelessness to help provide solutions and ensures their instances of homelessness are brief and non-recurring. The program also monitors the participants’ progress to determine long-term success.  

Please contact the Homeless Outreach Team if you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness and is interested in reuniting with family or friends.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a type of permanent housing that provides long-term rental subsidies and Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) to individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and have disabilities, chronic medical conditions, and/or behavioral health conditions.

The City is currently in the process of developing a 30-unit PSH, scheduled to open in 2025.

This HUD funded program subsidizes the rents of qualified very low-income tenants to affordable levels.  In general, to be eligible for a housing choice voucher, a household's income may not exceed 50% of the area median income (AMI) adjusted for household size.  A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program.

For Chula Vista residents, the Housing Choice Voucher Program is administered by the County of San Diego Housing Authority.  You may apply in person or online.  For all other cities, please contact the respective Housing Authorities administering the Housing Choice Voucher Program (other cities).  If you are interested in learning about portability to or from Chula Vista you must contact the County.

Who to Contact

Housing Authority of the County of San Diego
3989 Ruffin Rd
San Diego CA 92123
TOLL FREE (877) 478-5478 | LOCAL (858) 694-4890

Find a place to live using GoSection8's listing for affordable housing.  

Street outreach involves meeting people experiencing homelessness out where they are. This approach was initially started through the Public Works Ranger Program as they were seeking ways of not only maintaining our parks clean but assisting the homeless where they were. It was then when the Ranger Program teamed up with the Chula Vista Police Department to search for services to offer. As the program evolved, the Homeless Outreach Team was formed with the addition of the Code Enforcement and the Department of Housing and Homeless Services Department.

Through consistent regular outreach, the HOT Team actively seeks out and engage homeless persons and, for those who are willing, connect them with services and/or place them in housing linked with appropriate services. The team, in concert with community partners, help alleviate the effects of homelessness in the community and serve the homeless through the following strategies:

• Contact and interact with the homeless community, based on a relationship of trust, to evaluate and assess their needs related to social services, mental health, substance abuse and law enforcement with a focus on connecting them with appropriate support and services for the short-term to foster long-term housing stability.

• Meet with community members to identify specific concerns and engage in dialogue that educates them on their rights, their responsibilities as a community member and legal resolutions in addressing homeless issues.

• Forge relationships with the various stakeholders in the community to include citizens, social outreach groups, social services, law enforcement, mental health system and the legal justice system towards multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing the housing and supportive service needs to provide short-term answers yet also develop permanent solutions.

The Team utilizes six key components in our case management strategies in addressing homelessness:

1. Collaboration and Cooperation:  The team relies on and recruits the necessary members that have different backgrounds, skills and areas of expertise.
2. Connecting to the Right Resources:  The client-centered approach is based on the complexity of need.
3. Appropriate Case Management:  In assessing and working with a client, the Team appropriately takes into account age, physical/mental condition, culture, gender and sexual orientation. In addition, an understanding of broader structural factors and personal history (of violence, sexual abuse or assault, for instance) must underline strategies and type of engagement.
4. Right Engagement: Building a strong relationship, based on respectful encounters, openness, listening skills, and advocacy.
5. Coordinated System:  Ensuring case management includes the broader system of care to meet specific needs.
6. Evaluation for success:  The ongoing and consistent assessment of case management that goes beyond the client's exit to permanent housing.

Housing Navigation services are a key component to the HOT Team's strategies.  Though this services, the client is assisted in securing housing by:

1. Assessing:  Conducting a tenant screening and housing assessment that identifies the participant’s needs, preferences and barriers related to finding stable housing.
2. Housing Plan:  Developing a housing plan that addresses identified barriers, includes short and long-term measurable goals for each issue identified, establishes the participant’s approach to meeting the goal, and identifies when other providers or services may be required to meet the goal.
3. Searching for and Securing Housing:  Assisting in searching for different housing options and securing housing by assisting in the completion of housing applications and securing required documentation.
4. Identifying and Securing Available Resources: Pursue available resources such as rental assistance (TBRA or Section 8), security deposit and other eligible one-time move in expenses.
5. Advocacy:  Communicating and advocating on behalf of the client with landlords.

 Report issues and concerns utilizing the City's See-Click-Fix portal.  

Operation Pride - Providing job opportunities while serving the Community.

Initially created in 2015 to provide job opportunities to those previously homeless overcoming dependency issues, the Operation Pride initiative has continued to provide valuable services to the Chula Vista community through trash and debris clean-up efforts and beautification projects, under the direction of the Public Works Park Ranger Program and in collaboration with partner organizations, as follows:

• Work for Hope has conducted beautification projects in over a dozen parks since its beginning in 2020, including trash removal and repainting of signs, bathroom facilities, pergolas, benches and other fixtures. McAlister Institute supports the program with vocational rehabilitation training, life skills instructions, transportation, job readiness, and links to stable housing resources.
• Take Back the Streets provides clean up of public right of way to keep streets and sidewalks free of trash and debris.  Over 3 million pounds, equivalent to 12 blue whales / 3 Boeing 747 jumbo jets / 1,500 tons, of refuse has been collected since 2020 and nearly 5,000 shopping carts. Alpha Project supports the effort by providing unsheltered individuals with immediate transitional employment and training while providing the community with vital cost saving services. The team was vital during the December 2021-January 2022 Republic Services’ strike when garbage was being disposed of on City Streets.  

For up-to-date statistics on Operation Pride view the dashboard below.