March 19, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

City Council Prioritizes Housing for Historically Displaced Households

At its meeting on July 13, Santa Monica City Council made changes to Santa Monica’s Affordable Housing Production Program and Housing Trust Fund that gives affordable housing waitlist priority to households displaced from Santa Monica in the 1950s and 1960s due to urban renewal policies.

This follows a March 2019 Council decision to explore a historical displacement policy to provide housing access to former residents who were displaced by the creation of the Civic Auditorium in the Belmar Triangle neighborhood and I-10 freeway in the Pico neighborhood, both of which disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color.

“With this pilot, we strive to reach former residents or their descendants who were wrongly displaced from our community and to bring them back to Santa Monica through our affordable housing program,” said Santa Monica Mayor Sue Himmelrich. “If you or your family lost your home during this period, we urge you to apply for below market housing opportunities and to work with us as we look to craft a permanent program.”

The new pilot program will provide priority in City-funded housing and inclusionary housing for up to 100 households or descendants of households (children or grandchildren). With the adoption of the pilot, the City of Santa Monica’s affordable housing waitlist priority is now as follows:

  • First priority (current) – Santa Monica households who have been or will be displaced from their homes due to a natural disaster, a government action, removal permit eviction, owner occupancy, Ellis Act, or a mobile home park closure. 
  • Second priority (newly adopted) — Households or descendants of households displaced from the Historic Belmar Neighborhood in what is today the Civic Center or along the I-10 freeway.
  • Third priority (current) – Households who either live in Santa Monica or work at least 25 hours per week in Santa Monica.

Throughout the pilot, City staff will test and evaluate outreach strategies, applicant demand, the availability of historical documentation, verification processes, compliance with governing legislation, and the administrative resources required to implement a broader program.

If you or a member of your family was impacted by the construction of the Civic Auditorium or the I-10 freeway, the City encourages you to learn more at https://www.santamonica.gov/housing-BMH.  Pilot program applicants will be referred to affordable housing opportunities once eligibility has been completed.

Separate from adopting the pilot program, Council reduced the minimum number of work hours required to qualify for waitlist prioritization as a Santa Monica worker from 36 hours per week to 25 hours per week. This change removes a qualification barrier for Santa Monica workers who are not employed full-time. 

Related Posts

Woman Drives Car In Ocean After High Speed Police Chase

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Law enforcement officers pursued her along the I-110 and I-405 until she reached the vicinity of Venice Beach A woman...

Santa Monica Authorities Seek Public’s Help After Sexual Assault Incident

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

SMPD Urges Anyone With Information to Come Forward Authorities in Santa Monica are seeking information from the public after a...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier Sold to SC Holdings, $10M Investment Planned

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

The Cultural Institution Set for Exciting Upgrades Santa Monica Amusements LLC (SMA), the operating group of Pacific Park on the...

Woman Returns $1K Worth of Stolen Items After Store Finds Her Social Media Account

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

For the Owner, the Incident Is Perhaps Indicative of an Environment at the Palisades Village Where Smaller Businesses Are More...

LAPD Identify Suspect Who Struck 6-Year-Old Girl Last Weekend

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

An Arrest Was Made Following “Another Incident” in Venice By Zach Armstrong  The Los Angeles Police have identified Ahsante Lamar...

SMC to Host Free Screening of West Coast Hip Hop Documentary

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free Presentation Includes Audience Q&A with Hip Hop Icons Santa Monica College (SMC) is set to host a complimentary screening...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

SMPD Arrests Man Who Allegedly Attacked Girlfriend, Brandished Replica Firearm at Her Daughter

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Man Faces Charges of Felony Domestic Violence and Misdemeanor Child Abuse A suspect is in custody after a domestic...

A New Civil Lawsuit Against Roman Polanski Has Moved Forward to Trial

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Director Faces Allegations From 1973, Santa Monica Judge Sets Date A trial date of August 4, 2025, has been set...

AFM Heads to Las Vegas: Independent Film Market’s Big Move to Palms Casino Resort for 45th Edition

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

International Film and Television Alliance Announces AFM Will Leave Santa Monica The American Film Market® (AFM®) is set to move...

Suspect Strikes 6-Year-Old Girl in Santa Monica, Investigation Underway

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Detectives Are Actively Locating/Obtaining Surveillance Footage By Zach Armstrong An assault investigation is underway after a man reportedly struck a...