Santa Monica city officials recently approved a multimillion-dollar apartment building for the homeless, just days after it was revealed that California could not account for the $24 billion spent on dealing with the state’s growing homeless crisis. The 122-unit building will consist of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as ground floor retail and parking spaces. Mayor Phil Brock highlighted the importance of providing affordable and permanent supportive housing, as part of the city’s efforts to meet Housing Element requirements. He expressed optimism about seeing families move into the new homes and thrive.
This decision to build housing for the homeless comes in the wake of an audit that indicated the state had spent a significant amount of money on addressing homelessness between 2018 and 2023, without consistent tracking of the effectiveness of these expenditures. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) placed blame on local governments for the issue, stating that they must be held more accountable in addressing homelessness. When questioned about accountability in light of the audit’s findings, Santa Monica officials emphasized the city’s dedication to affordable housing projects on city-owned sites. They mentioned the approval of developments on three specific sites along Euclid Avenue as part of their strategy to reduce costs and meet housing mandates.
The city spokesperson acknowledged that California is facing a housing and homelessness crisis, with all cities required to adopt a Housing Element that includes plans for affordable housing. Santa Monica’s commitment to utilizing city-owned sites for affordable projects is aimed at lowering development costs and meeting the council-approved Housing Element requirements. The approval of the agreement to move forward with developments on specific city-owned sites reflects the city’s strategic approach to addressing the housing and homelessness crisis. By following this strategy, Santa Monica aims to support the construction of affordable housing and contribute to solving the ongoing challenges related to homelessness in the area.
In addressing the issue of homelessness, Santa Monica officials are focusing on providing permanent supportive housing as a key strategy. The 122-unit building for the homeless represents a significant step towards fulfilling Housing Element requirements and meeting the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Mayor Phil Brock’s enthusiasm for seeing families move into the new homes and thrive reflects the city’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for those in need. The approval of the apartment building reflects Santa Monica’s determination to address the housing crisis and provide affordable housing solutions to improve the lives of residents in the city.
The involvement of the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) in coordinating agencies and allocating resources for homelessness programs underscores the importance of collaboration in tackling the issue of homelessness. The audit findings that highlighted the lack of accountability in tracking the effectiveness of funds spent on homelessness programs serve as a reminder of the need for transparency and oversight in addressing this complex issue. By holding local governments more accountable and ensuring efficient use of funds, communities can work towards implementing effective strategies to address homelessness and provide support for individuals and families in need. Santa Monica’s dedication to affordable housing projects and the approval of the apartment building for the homeless demonstrate a commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the housing crisis in the city.
