Construction Begins on Eco-Friendly Housing Development in Santa Monica
Construction is officially underway on the 20th Street Apartments, a new affordable housing development in Santa Monica that will provide 78 units of permanent housing for low-income families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Venice Community Housing, a nonprofit housing developer and service provider, broke ground Wednesday on the project, which it is co-developing with Community Corporation of Santa Monica. The apartments will be located near the 17th Street/SMC Expo Line stop, providing residents with convenient access to public transit and local amenities.
“Venice Community Housing is proud to expand its service area to Santa Monica and to have begun construction on these much-needed homes,” said Erika Lee, executive director of Venice Community Housing (VCH). “We are excited to join the community and to be welcoming people home soon.”
The project marks the first collaboration for Community Corporation of Santa Monica with another nonprofit housing organization.
“Working together with Venice Community Housing, we can do even more to address our city’s housing crisis and the urgent need for inclusive, environmentally sustainable homes,” said Tara Barauskas, executive director of Community Corp.
The groundbreaking ceremony drew local leaders and public officials, including Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis, who emphasized the importance of collaborative housing efforts.
“Communities like the 20th Street Apartments are crucial to our city’s ability to maintain economic diversity, provide workforce housing, prevent and address homelessness, and meet our Housing Element commitments,” Torosis said.
Bank of America, one of the project’s key funding partners, contributed both debt and equity financing.
“This project represents a model of effective public-private partnerships,” said Garrett Gin, Greater Los Angeles market executive for Bank of America. “We’re proud to support the efforts of both Venice Community Housing and Community Corporation of Santa Monica to bring more housing to the Westside.”
Designed to meet LEED Gold standards, the development will feature solar panels, Energy Star appliances, a rooftop community garden, and more than 150 bicycle parking spaces. Other on-site amenities will include community rooms, laundry facilities, outdoor play areas, and landscaped green spaces.
The project is expected to be completed by mid-2027, with leasing to begin shortly thereafter. Interested applicants can learn more through the City of Santa Monica’s affordable housing website at www.santamonica.gov/housing-apply.
Funding for the 20th Street Apartments includes support from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), federal and state tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, and investments from the National Equity Fund and Bank of America.
