Find Shelter

Do you need a safe place to stay?

Operation HOPE–North County provides temporary shelter and support in Vista for families with children and single women experiencing homelessness.

See if you qualify → Click here

Apply for Shelter – ENGLISH

Solicitar Refugio – ESPAÑOL

Need help completing the application? Call us at (760) 536-3880.

Can I Stay Here?

You may qualify if

✓ You are a single woman OR a parent/couple with children
✓ You are experiencing homelessness or do not have a safe place to stay
✓ You can participate in a drug- and alcohol-free shelter
✓ You are willing to participate in case management and work toward housing and stability

We are not able to shelter

Single adult men without children.

Not sure if you qualify? That’s okay. Contact us and our team can help you figure out your next step.

Already Applied and on Our Waitlist?

You must check in every 14 days to keep your application active.

You do not need to submit a new shelter application. Use the button below to let us know you still need shelter.

Questions? Call (760) 536-3880.

Keep Application Active

What Happens After I Apply?

1. Apply
Complete our short shelter application online.

2. We review your application
Our team reviews your eligibility and current shelter availability.

3. We contact you
If you may qualify and space is available, we’ll contact you about next steps.

4. Complete intake
You’ll meet with our team, complete intake paperwork and the required drug/alcohol screening.

5. Move into shelter
Once admitted, your family will have a safe place to stay while you work with our team toward permanent housing.

Apply for Shelter – ENGLISH

Solicitar Refugio – ESPAÑOL

You Deserve a Safe Place to Land

We know that making the decision to apply for shelter is not easy. You may be facing one of the most difficult and uncertain times in your life, and reaching out for help can feel overwhelming.

At Operation HOPE–North County, you will be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. Our shelter is a safe, supportive place where families can take time to stabilize, focus on their goals, and begin planning for what comes next.

Families stay together in private rooms, giving parents and children their own space while they work toward permanent housing. Our staff will work alongside you—not judge you—to help you identify your goals, connect with resources, and build a path toward greater stability.

You are more than your current circumstances. When you’re ready, we’re here to help you take the next step.

Find Out About Our Programs

What Can I Expect at Operation HOPE?

A private space for your family
Families have a safe place to sleep and stabilize together. Each family has a private room. Our facility has shared bathrooms and showers, laundry, and a communal kitchen.
Meals
Nutritious dinners are provided each evening.
A Case Manager
You’ll have someone (hyperlink to Sonia’s pic) helping you work toward housing, employment, benefits, and other goals.
Support for children
Children can participate in activities, academic support, and evening programming. (Hyperlink to Hope for Kids)
Help finding permanent housing
Our goal isn’t simply to provide a bed. We’ll work alongside you toward long-term stability.

What Will Be Expected of Me?

ID & Background: Photo ID required. No registered sex offenders.
Sobriety: Must test negative for drugs and alcohol.
Schedule & Rules: 5:15 PM daily curfew; attendance at evening classes (Mon–Thu) and weekly case management meetings is mandatory.
Family: Children must be enrolled in school or daycare within two weeks (CA vaccine guidelines apply).
Program Goals: Must commit to finding employment, saving 30% of income, completing daily chores, and following shelter rules.

Have questions or need assistance?

We’re here to help. Reach out to our team today.

Get in Touch

Need Emergency Help Now?

Are you currently homeless or at risk of being homeless? For information on finding assistance with housing, food, utilities, or shelter, please call 2-1-1. They will connect you to agencies and resources in your area where you can find help.

Call 2-1-1

FAQ

We know you may have many questions when considering shelter. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often. If you don’t see your question here, please contact our shelter team at shelter@operationhopeshelter.org

Our shelter program is designed to provide up to 90 days of temporary housing and support while you work toward greater stability and permanent housing.

No. There is no cost to stay at Operation HOPE–North County.

Yes. Operation HOPE–North County is a family shelter, and children are welcome. Families stay together in private rooms.

Yes. Fathers with children are welcome. We serve families in many different circumstances and configurations.

Yes. Couples with children can stay together as a family in a private room.

Yes. Pregnant women who meet our program eligibility requirements may apply for shelter.

We are unable to accommodate pets. Service animals are permitted. Please let our team know about your service animal during the application or intake process so we can help prepare for your stay.

Yes. Identification is required as part of the intake process. If you have questions about what forms of identification are accepted, please contact our shelter team.

Yes! We encourage residents to work and build financial stability. Because residents are generally expected to return to the shelter by 5:30 p.m. each day, daytime work hours are ideal. Please talk with our team if your work schedule may conflict with shelter hours.

That’s okay. Your case manager will support you in your job search and help you identify resources and opportunities that can move you toward employment and greater financial stability.

Yes. We want children to have as much stability and consistency as possible. We work with schools through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to help eligible children remain at their school of origin and coordinate transportation, including school pickup when available.

Please bring identification, clothing, medications, and a limited amount of essential personal belongings for yourself and your children. Because space is limited, we ask families to bring only what they need during their stay. Our team can provide more specific guidance before your arrival.

We work through our waitlist as quickly as possible, but the timing depends on shelter availability and the needs of families currently waiting. If you have questions about your application, please email shelter@operationhopeshelter.org.

If you are eligible but we do not currently have space, you will remain on our waitlist. You must contact us every two weeks to let us know that you still need shelter and to update us if your circumstances have changed.

Please follow the waitlist instructions provided by our shelter team so your application remains active.

Yes. We understand that leaving an unsafe situation can be incredibly difficult. Operation HOPE–North County provides a safe, supportive environment and serves individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence.

Please share only what you feel comfortable sharing during the application process. Our team can work with you to understand your needs, connect you with resources, and determine whether our shelter is an appropriate and safe option for you.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Still Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Additional Local Resources

If Operation HOPE is full or you need immediate help with food or crisis support, please contact these local partner organizations:

2-1-1 San Diego: General local resources & emergency shelter assistance, Call 2-1-1
Access Crisis Line: 24/7 support for mental health & crisis situations, Call (888) 724-7240