NORTH COUNTY -- During the difficult years over the last decade, Earl Brown spent his winters living on inland North County's streets.

Sometimes he camped out in camouflaged, out-of-the-way nooks. Other times, especially when it got particularly cold or rainy, he signed up for a bunk at annual emergency shelter set up in Escondido.

But this year, these are not possibilities.

For the first time in two decades, inland North County will not host an emergency winter shelter that would provide overnight refuge to those living on the streets.

Brown, and many homeless advocates, said they worry about the lack of any safety net in the event of a possible cold snap this season.

"It's kind of a downer that there isn't a shelter, because there are so many people who need a place to sleep," Brown, 53, said.

For 19 years, Interfaith Community Services hosted winter shelters in Escondido, first at the National Guard Armory and then at its headquarters in an industrial park on Washington Avenue.

But the warehouse space used for a 44-bed shelter in recent winters now is home to a permanent shelter program aimed at helping homeless veterans, seniors and the disabled attain self-sufficiency.

That shelter, named Merle's Place, opened over the summer and is already filled, including some residents who would have been among the chronic homeless population that the winter shelters serve, according to Interfaith representatives.

Last year, while Merle's Place was still under construction, the city of Escondido agreed to allow Interfaith to temporarily use the space as an emergency shelter.

Now, the only winter programs available will be Bread of Life, a 50-bed winter shelter for men and women in Oceanside, which will open for the season Dec. 1; and Operation HOPE, a 50-bed seasonal shelter for 17 families in Vista that will open Dec. 15.

Interfaith Rotational Shelter Network -- which is not related to the community services agency -- also operates coastal and inland programs with a dozen beds each that moves among local religious congregations throughout the season.

Greg Anglea, Interfaith Community Service's development director, said there were some efforts to try to arrange for another shelter in inland North County, but none materialized. That means that people looking for a warm, dry place will probably have to fend for themselves this year.

"It's a difficult answer, but honestly, our staff will likely have to ask people where they slept last night and if it's possible they can sleep there again," Anglea said, adding that some motel vouchers will be available at Interfaith, too.

Countywide, there are approximately 8,600 homeless, a quarter of whom reside in North County, according to the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless, a nonprofit that works with local social service agencies. About 800 of the northern region's homeless are not sheltered.

John Thelen, executive director of the task force, said that some of the homeless who normally make use of the emergency shelter could find space in Oceanside's winter shelter, if they're willing to make the 20-mile trip. Others, he said, could get a bed in other seasonal programs for families or the working homeless.

"But it's disappointing that the inland area doesn't have something for the people out there that don't fit the criteria (for family shelters) or can't make it over to Bread of Life," Thelen said.

Eliminating a seasonal shelter program at Interfaith's main building in exchange for a year-round program was part of the understanding between the social service agency and Escondido, said Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler. Still, she added, North County needs to respond if this winter becomes particularly harsh.

"We all knew this was coming," Pfeiler said. "But if it gets cold, I think we need to get together a few cities and talk about what we can do."

That could be easier said than done, according to Thelen, who said there is a "not in my backyard" attitude about helping the homeless that makes it difficult to replace a shelter once it closes.

"Even if there were the political will, we'd still have to find a site," Thelen said. "And putting a shelter in someone's area is always going to be a conflict."

In the meantime, Anglea said he and other social service workers are hoping for warm weather this winter, and for someone to step forward with more shelter opportunities year-round, not just for the homeless to survive winter.

"Having beds available is important and necessary," Anglea said. "But a long-term solution (for homelessness) is not an emergency shelter."

Contact staff writer David Fried at (760) 740-5416 or dfried@nctimes.com.