Introduction to the Cancellation of Santa Monica Transitional Housing Projects
Community blowback scuttled a transitional housing effort slated for oceanfront property in Santa Monica.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose district includes the seaside enclave, ordered the termination of two interim housing facilities planned for former senior living facilities on Ocean Avenue, the Santa Monica Daily Press reported.
Background on the Transitional Housing Effort
The county previously opted to pause the projects before determining next steps. The reuse would have provided 49 units of supportive housing for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders who are enrolled in the County’s transitional housing program.
The housing was a few weeks away from opening and would’ve been operated by the Venice-based nonprofit St. Joseph Center, with funding from the county through the state’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program. All residents would have been from Los Angeles’ Westside, with at least 15 beds set aside for Santa Monica residents.
Reasons for the Cancellation
“When a project moves forward without community awareness, it erodes trust. In this case, that trust has been broken, and the community is right to be frustrated,” Horvath said. “The lack of transparency and coordination in this process is unacceptable.”
Local residents blasted the decision after what they viewed as insufficient community outreach.
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete joined that chorus, saying “everybody deserves to know what is happening in their community and to be able to voice their concern, and shouldn’t be chastised or villainized for having a response or a fear.”
Next Steps and Alternative Solutions
Horvath directed the Department of Mental Health to work in tandem with St. Joseph Center and the City of Santa Monica to find alternative sites that would meet the community’s needs.
She also took it a step further, directing the county to “unify all homelessness and behavioral health housing programs under one coordinated department to ensure clear leadership, consistent communication and accountability” in addressing homelessness.
Prolific Los Angeles developer Leo Pustilnikov wasn’t the owner of the Ocean Avenue properties but did have the option to purchase the property and was a part of the deal to locate housing facilities there. The county will still work with Pustilnikov to identify alternative locations.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the Santa Monica transitional housing projects highlights the importance of community awareness and transparency in the development of such projects. While the cancellation may be seen as a setback, it also presents an opportunity for the county to re-evaluate its approach to addressing homelessness and to work towards finding alternative solutions that meet the needs of the community.
FAQs
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Q: What was the reason for the cancellation of the Santa Monica transitional housing projects?
A: The reason for the cancellation was the lack of community awareness and transparency in the development of the project, which eroded trust and led to community frustration.
Q: How many units of supportive housing were planned for the project?
A: The project planned to provide 49 units of supportive housing for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.
Q: Who will the county work with to identify alternative locations?
A: The county will work with Prolific Los Angeles developer Leo Pustilnikov to identify alternative locations.
