ESCONDIDO, Calif. — North County’s first year-round emergency shelter opened Wednesday in Escondido to provide nearly 50 homeless men and women with a safe place to sleep.

Haven House, located at 550 W. Washington Avenue, will provide shelter to people who are either already working or are on-track to being employed who can benefit from housing.

“The opportunity to open the first year-round emergency shelter in the history of our North County community is monumental,” said Greg Anglea, Executive Director of Interfaith Community Services. “Haven House has a proven track record, so we’re excited to build off of that model and provide housing to those on our streets – especially just in time for Christmas. We hope this makes the holiday season a little brighter for nearly 50 members of our community in critical need of help.”

“This is about much more than just an emergency shelter,” said Anglea. “It’s about creating a continuum of care for the poorest and most vulnerable in our community. With a year-round shelter, we can and we will provide better tomorrows for those facing difficult todays.”