The Website Includes Background Information on the Hsp, Project Updates, Upcoming Community Meetings, and Links to Presentations
The City of Santa Monica has introduced a dedicated webpage to provide updates and information on its Homelessness Strategic Plan (HSP), a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the city’s response to homelessness, as detailed in a recent City blog post.
The website includes background information on the HSP, project updates, upcoming community meetings, and links to presentations given to local commissions. Among the recent presentations were sessions with the Disabilities Commission and the Human Services Commission, with more scheduled for the coming months.
“The launch of this new webpage creates a central location for residents and stakeholders to follow the development of the Homelessness Strategic Plan and stay informed on project milestones,” said Heather Averick of the Housing and Human Services Department.
The HSP, currently in development by the Housing and Human Services Department in collaboration with citywide partners, was recommended in the 2022 Moss Adams Homelessness Study. The study, which assessed the city’s existing homelessness response and prevention efforts, called for a more unified strategy to coordinate resources among city departments, local service providers, and regional partners.
In response, the Santa Monica City Council allocated resources in the FY23-24 budget to create a strategic plan that aligns all city departments around a shared vision for addressing homelessness. The city partnered with consulting firm BerryDunn, which has extensive experience in homelessness planning, to guide the process.
Over the past year, BerryDunn has gathered community feedback, conducted interviews with key city staff, and led meetings with city leadership to develop the plan’s framework. The final HSP, which is set to be presented to the City Council in early 2025, will outline a vision, mission, and set of actionable goals aimed at improving the city’s homelessness response.
For more information and ongoing updates, residents can visit the newly launched webpage at santamonica.gov/programs/homelessness-strategic-plan
