March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Belmar Apartments Officially Opens In Santa Monica:

Nine years in the making, the grand opening for Belmar Apartments in Santa Monica was held Thursday. 

The affordable housing development located at 1725 Ocean Avenue includes 160 new apartments that are now home to a diversity of households. 

It is the largest single affordable housing development that the City has helped finance. 

Most of families in the new apartments already lived or worked in Santa Monica, and finding affordable housing near their jobs, schools, and extended family members has been life-changing for many of them. 

Monica Ayala, who works at a grocery store on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, recently moved to the Belmar Apartments with her three children.  

Ayala expressed her excitement about living there and shared that the day her family found out that they had qualified for an apartment was “the best day of our lives.”

Related California, in partnership with the Community Corporation of Santa Monica, built Belmar Apartments. 

Bill Witte, President of Related California, lauded the public-private partnership with the City that made Belmar Apartments possible. 

The development has been nine years in the making, and the consensus at the grand opening was that it was worth the wait. 

Sarah Letts, Executive Director of CCSM opined that “it takes nine years to build perfection.” 

CCSM will provide an on-site resident services coordinator and will offer a variety of programs ranging from school readiness to after-school tutoring.

Belmar Apartments, in concert with the residential buildings to the north and south and the already well-used Tongva Park, is playing a key role in bringing activity back to the Civic Center’s core and creating a fully functioning neighborhood. 

Mayor Pam O’Connor called it “an important milestone in advancing Santa Monica’s commitment to creating affordable housing opportunities and economic diversity.” 

State Assemblymember Richard Bloom said, “at a very fundamental level, this place is about people; the people who will live here [and] establish this neighborhood.”

Belmar Apartments was among the last affordable housing developments funded through redevelopment, a tool that was eliminated statewide in 2012, severely limiting cities’ ability to support affordable housing production or preservation.

In light of the dearth of funding for affordable housing, Andy Agle, Director of Housing and Economic Development for the City, issued a call to action for the community to come together to develop strategies to continue to address the housing needs of all families.

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....