Two long-vacant buildings in Santa Monica with ocean views are at the center of a brewing fight over government transparency, mental health housing and neighborhood character.
The County of Los Angeles has decided to take a beat–and some input from the community–in a change of pace that followed an outcry. The dustup started when county officials informed the City of Santa Monica that two former senior living properties on the 400 and 800 blocks of Ocean Avenue will be turned into temporary housing for 49 people with behavioral health challenges, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The incoming residents are enrolled in the county’s transitional housing program.
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete joined residents in criticizing the move by the county.
“The system is not working fairly and informing people and it’s above our heads often coming from state and county — yet we have to manage the chaos,” Negrete told the Times. “I think everybody deserves to know what is happening in their community and to be able to voice their concern, and shouldn’t be chastised or villainized for having a response or a fear.”
For now, the county has hit pause as it prepares to host a town hall and offer public tours of the facilities.
“We want to ensure that everyone is heard, properly informed, and has multiple opportunities to provide feedback and help shape how the project is implemented,” the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health said in a statement.
L.A. County operates the largest county-run mental health department in the country, boasting a budget of nearly $3 billion. Last year, L.A. was one of 10 counties to receive nearly $133 million with the purpose of housing homeless people and those experiencing mental illness. That funding includes the Ocean Avenue transitional housing in question.
The Venice-based nonprofit St. Joseph Center will manage the facilities while the Department of Mental Health will operate the properties through the state’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing fund. The goal with the incoming residents is to transition them into secure housing while providing mental health treatment and other resources. The buildings will be staffed by medical professionals including mental health clinicians, licensed vocational nurses and substance use counselors. St. Joseph Center will provide around-the-clock security.
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