City seeks public participation in new HUD-funded program
By Dolores Quintana
The City of Santa Monica is moving forward with a new program to place 100 people who are currently in temporary shelters into permanent housing thus freeing up 100 shelter beds for others who are in need of them. It is called the 100 Homes Initiative. This initiative will be funded by the disbursement of housing vouchers from HUD from the American Rescue Plan.
The City of Santa Monica is asking for volunteers to assist with the program, as there’s a real need for volunteers to help with in person and hands on tasks. The following are the way residents can participate.
Identifying Apartments: Reach out to property owners through phone banking and personal connections who have units for people to move into.
Turning Apartments into Homes: Donate furniture and household items and/or assist with move-in day for people moving in with literally the clothes on their back.
Managing Logistics: Help manage logistics of donations and move-in day tasks such as transporting donations, assembling furniture, etc.
Those who would like to get involved and help our unhoused neighbors, should complete this survey to become a volunteer. The survey also asks for suggestions to improve the plan and if you have any other resources that might be helpful that might not have already been identified.
Constance Farrell, public information officer of the City of Santa Monica, anticipates that some of the homes will be located in the Santa Monica area, but the program’s search for available properties will not be limited to Santa Monica itself.
“We do anticipate housing opportunities in Santa Monica and are actively recruiting volunteers to help find available units both here and in the region. It’s simply a matter of supply and expeditiously finding housing availability,” Farrell said.
