Santa Monica city officials recently approved the construction of a 122-unit apartment building for the homeless. The building will feature a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as ground floor retail and residential and commercial parking spaces. Mayor Phil Brock expressed excitement about the project, stating that it is a key step in fulfilling the city’s Housing Element requirements. This decision comes on the heels of an audit revealing that California could not account for the $24 billion it spent on addressing the state’s homeless crisis between 2018 and 2023.
The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) was responsible for allocating resources and coordinating agencies for homeless programs. They placed blame on local governments for the issues surrounding homelessness and called for them to be held more accountable. In response to inquiries regarding the efficiency of spending in light of the audit’s findings, a Santa Monica city spokesperson explained that the state is facing a housing and homelessness crisis, and all cities are required to adopt a Housing Element that includes affordable housing. The city has dedicated several of its own sites for affordable housing projects as part of its strategy to lower development costs and meet mandated requirements.
The audit that found discrepancies in the tracking of funds spent on homelessness in California prompted questions about the effectiveness of such expenditures. The audit covered a significant timeframe, from 2018 to 2023, during which the state reportedly spent $24 billion on addressing the issue. Despite this significant investment, there were concerns about the lack of consistent tracking to determine the impact of the funds on improving the homeless crisis. The approval of the homeless apartment building in Santa Monica followed closely on the heels of this audit release.
In response to the homelessness crisis, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has urged wealthy individuals to help purchase housing for the homeless, calling for an “unprecedented partnership.” The issue of homelessness in California has become increasingly urgent, with quick action needed to address the growing problem. Local governments, including Santa Monica, are facing pressure to take action and allocate resources efficiently to combat homelessness. Projects like the approved apartment building for the homeless in Santa Monica demonstrate steps being taken to address this pressing issue.
Santa Monica’s decision to move forward with the construction of an affordable housing project for the homeless reflects ongoing efforts to address the crisis in the city. By approving developments on city-owned sites along Euclid Avenue, officials aim to lower costs and meet housing mandates laid out in the council-approved Housing Element. This strategic approach to providing affordable housing underscores the city’s commitment to supporting those in need and ensuring that families can access safe and stable housing. The city’s actions are part of a broader effort to address the homelessness crisis in California and provide much-needed support to vulnerable populations.
