Tag: The City of Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA—On July 24, the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation, a nonprofit formed by the City of Santa Monica, announced that the Santa Monica Animal Shelter located at 1640 9th Street is currently at capacity.

In its effort to promote and encourage the adoption and care of abandoned and abused animals, the Foundation issued the following statement. And they are currently covering all adoption fees.

“The Santa Monica Animal Shelter is over capacity! To help we are covering the adoption fees. Please visit to adopt a pet today. In the many years we have supported the shelter we have never seen so many animals. They have so many great puppies, dogs, cats & kittens that can’t wait to meet you. Visit the SM Animal Shelter Page for location and contact info.”

Follow the links on the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation to view the adoptable animals.

Some animal lovers may seek out the dogs who have been in shelter the longest, or the pets that are the hardest breed to rehome, others have a certain look or personality trait they are looking for in their next furry friend.

One post indicated that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the hardest dog to rehome. The photo posted on the Foundation site shows a very playful Staffordshire Terrier.  “Weezy,” in the photo above may be adopted.

There are some people who won’t adopt black dogs because of their aversion to black dog hair. Others won’t adopt black cats due to superstitions. Then, there’s the compassionate heart that will only adopt these pets for the exact same reason. Little Ricky Kitty here doesn’t appear to be very scary.

For those who would like to help, but are unable to adopt at this time, there are plenty of other ways one can improve the lives of the shelter animals.

Those who would like to volunteer at the Santa Monica Animal Shelter are encouraged to fill out the volunteer application on the website.

Donated goods may be dropped off at the Animal Shelter during normal business hours. There is also a link to shop at the Chewy Wish List. The items needed will be delivered directly to the shelter.

They are open Tuesday – Saturday from 8am to 5pm (closed from 12-1pm for lunch) or call; (310)458-8595.

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On April 29, the Executive Director of the Community Corporation of Santa Monica (CCOSM) Tara Barauskas, announced that on Friday, April 26, they broke ground on Santa Monica’s newest affordable housing development, Berkeley Station.

The 13-unit facility is expected to house Santa Monica residents who are of modest means, veterans, and at-risk young adults aging out of foster care.

According to Barauskas, “Berkeley Station is an exciting, innovative project and represents two firsts for us, our first development specifically for vulnerable youth as well as our first modular development (made in a factory). This is a great example of the type of housing that needs to be built to help alleviate Santa Monica’s affordable housing crisis.”

The City of Santa Monica and the CCOSM are partnering on this project. Community leaders present at Friday’s groundbreaking include Santa Monica Councilmembers, Democratic Caucus Chair, and Santa Monica Assemblymember, Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood-51st District).

Chavez Zbur made the following statement, the full text of which may be seen on his website:

“One of the most cost-effective and compassionate ways of reducing the number of Californians experiencing homelessness is to empower people to stay in their homes.

Chavez Zbur jointly co-authored The California Security Act, AB 2498 with Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-La Palma).

“AB 2498 would create a statewide housing subsidy program to allow some of our most vulnerable people to remain ‘housed,’ while experiencing challenging and often life-altering circumstances. I’d like to thank Assemblymember Quirk-Silva for her leadership in prioritizing homelessness prevention and for her commitment to addressing the housing and homelessness crisis with real solutions,” Chavez Zbur continued.

The following came directly from the press release, the full text of which is posted on the City of Santa Monica webpage:

“Santa Monica continues to be a leader in finding innovative, sustainable, and compassionate ways to address the homelessness and housing crisis,” said Phil Brock, mayor of Santa Monica. “It is so important that our transition-age youth and low-income families have a safe and stable place to live, and Berkeley Station will provide these households with that secure foundation so they can thrive.”

“Berkeley Station is a model of the type of affordable housing we need to be building across California,” said Sen. Ben Allen, (D-Santa Monica). “I want to recognize and thank Community Corporation for its commitment to the most vulnerable here in our community.”

“We are extremely excited to work with Community Corporation of Santa Monica on their first prefabricated development,” said Steve Glenn, founder and CEO of Plant Prefab. “Berkeley Station will be built at our new factory in Tejon Ranch utilizing techniques that offer a more sustainable and time and cost-efficient way to create affordable, temporary, and transitional housing.”

Berkeley Station was reportedly designed to meet LEED Gold Standards with the amenities including a community garden, laundry facilities, a rooftop deck, a community room, Energy Star appliances, and solar panels.

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On Sunday, April 21, just before 3:00 p.m., the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) arrested a single Black male who was grilling meat in his shopping cart. He appeared to be living in homelessness.

The Citizen app first reported a man walking down the bike lane on Ocean Avenue while grilling. He was using a sword as a meat skewer and had a wood fire going in his shopping cart. His fire was put out, and the individual was taken into custody by SMPD officers.

The individual is reportedly facing misdemeanor charges. First reports indicate he may not get a weapons charge since he was not using his sword to cause bodily harm.

The name of the suspect has not been released. There is no more information currently available.

On January 24, 2024, the City of Santa Monica released the results of their 2023 homeless count.

The homeless count results indicate that as of January 2024, Santa Monica has 926 people living in homelessness which is a 15 percent increase compared to 2022. The homeless count completed in 2023 showed 807 individuals living in homelessness.

By Sharon