Advocates Accuse LA of Stalling Housing Complex in Venice

Advocates for a controversial homeless housing complex approved in Venice accuse Los Angeles of stonewalling its development.

LA Forward Institute, a nonprofit based in Sawtelle, has filed a lawsuit that accuses the City of Los Angeles of erecting roadblocks to the Venice Dell Community, a 140-unit affordable apartment complex planned at 200 North Venice Boulevard, the Santa Monica Mirror reported. It would replace a city-owned parking lot.

Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Sylvia Aroth, a Venice homeowner and a former board member of Venice Community Housing; Loyola Law School Professor Gary Williams; and Kathy Coates, who is homeless.

The lawsuit contends the Venice Dell supportive housing complex has been stalled by a “series of administrative blocks” that began after the November 2022 election of L.A. CIty Councilwoman Traci Park and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto, who the complaint alleges oppose the project.

The complaint accuses city officials of denying regular meetings with developers, failing to give approvals needed before Venice Dell could break ground and redirecting communication to the city attorney’s office.

It also blames Mayor Karen Bass for deferring to Park, rather than directing city officials to move the project forward.

The lawsuit alleges the obstructions discriminate against minorities and people with disabilities, violating state equal protection and fair housing laws. It was first reported by Los Angeles Public Press.

The project was approved by the City Council in 2022 on a 2.7-acre site near the Venice Canals, a block from the beach. Venice Community Housing and Hollywood Community Housing were named co-developers. The project abruptly stalled last year.

When completed, it would contain 140 apartments, including 34 units for low-income artists, 34 units for low-income households, with the remaining units for permanent supportive housing and four on-site managers. It will also contain shops, public parking and open space.

A representative for Park told Los Angeles Public Press she was unavailable to comment. Other city officials, including Feldstein-Soto’s office, declined to comment, with some saying they do not do so on “pending litigation.”

The lawsuit also comes after two separate L.A. Superior Court rulings rejected a challenge to the project by the Coalition for Safe Coastal Development.

To move the affordable housing project forward, the developers need approval to build a public parking garage to replace a lot, approval of the ground lease to transfer much of the land and an Ellis Act application and approval from the California Coastal Commission, according to Josh Kamesnky, a spokesman for the Venice Dell developers.

This month, Venice Community Housing landed up to $65 million in bond financing to build a 120-unit affordable housing complex in Inglewood.

— Dana Bartholomew