Tag: The City of Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA—On July 22, the city of Santa Monica announced a new program offering one-time and short-term financial aid for those in need of renter’s assistance.

The new program is funded through Measure GS and administered by The People Concern in partnership with Santa Monica’s Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Division. Santa Monica Renter’s Aid is designed to help those eligible to remain stable and safely housed. Applications are available thru August 20

“Nobody should lose their home over one bad month. Renter Aid puts roughly $6 million directly into the hands of Santa Monica renters who hit a rough patch and connect them with The People Concern so a short-term crisis doesn’t turn into a long term one. Keeping people housed is more cost effective and more humane than helping them after they’ve already lost everything,” said Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis. 

To qualify for Santa Monica Renter’s Aid, applicants must be a resident in a housing crisis or at risk of losing housing and meet the income eligibility requirements. The program is for low-income households, including the elderly, those with disabilities, and families with children.

Applicants will be required to provide documentation to verify eligibility. Assistance is not guaranteed.

Those needing help to complete the application may attend a free in-person application on Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park Center Building located at 2200 Virginia Avenue. Thursdays from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at Main Library located at 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Representatives from The People Concern will be available at the upcoming State of the City event on Thursday, July 23, 4-7 p.m. taking place on Main Street between Hollister Avenue and Ocean Park Boulevard. Admission is free and the event is open to all ages.

According to Zillow, the average cost to rent an apartment in Santa Monica ranges from $2,169 to $4,594 monthly. The average market rent being approximately $3,490 monthly.

Low income in Santa Monica is considered less than $137,400 for a family of four, according to the city’s website. An income of $933-1,439 per person monthly would be considered very low income. An annual earnings of $25,600 annually for a family of four is categorized as extremely low income.

Data from a 2025 Homelessness count noted 475 people living outdoors (including at city beaches), a decrease of 4 individuals from 2024, with 202 people living in shelters, 84 people in vehicles, and 51 people living in tents.

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On July 7, the city of Santa Monica voided their lease negotiations with the business owners of California Roadhouse to occupy the restaurant space located at 256 Santa Monica Pier. According to Santa Monica City Manager, Oliver Chi, the lease agreement process has reportedly been called off due to non-compliance. The company failed to meet employee protections required to utilize the space. The process began six months ago in November 2025, with negotiations to bring in a new restaurant into the vacant Rusty’s location on the Santa Monica Pier. On January 7, the City of Santa Monica again announced that the Historic Santa Monica Pier building was to become Route 66 themed California Roadhouse. Following a delay from the Unite Here Local 11 Labor Union, prompted officials to pull them off the March 24 agenda. On April 13, the city gave an update indicating that the leasing process had been stalled. July marks the one-year anniversary since Chi took over as City Manager accepting an annual salary of $410,604. This is reportedly the fifth city that Chi has held the top position, the first being Rosemead at 27. He oversees a city budget of close to $8 million and approximately 2,000 employees. For those in the restaurant industry looking to occupy the vacant 4,000 square foot pier space, there are strict rules to abide by. The cost is $27,000 per month with a three percent annual increase. Business owners sign a lease agreement with the understanding that they must give preference to former pier restaurant employees before hiring new personnel. This practice is referred to as a worker-recall ordinance. Tenant Improvements are expected and the city may allocate funds from time to time up to $500,000 for improvements. Improvement allowances are audited to prove the work paid for has been completed. Leases may include maintenance waivers to help business owners and operators to manage the upkeep of their patio grades to match the rest of the pier. Leases must pass a unanimous vote from the City Council and the City Manager finalizes the leases terms of agreement. By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On June 8, officials with the city of Santa Monica issued a request to those visiting area parks to not feed rodents, specifically, squirrels. According to reports, Palisades Park is experiencing the largest uptick in the squirrel population.  Officials reported that the squirrels in that area have become a nuisance and are bold and aggressive.

Rodents depend on the handouts, creating an unnatural food supply, and are pursuing those visiting the park for snacks.  Squirrels like other rodents’ nest near their food source and breed twice annually once around February and during the summer (June-August). Squirrels can birth anywhere from 2 to 9 kits.

According to Coast and Canyon Wildlife Rehabilitation specialist, Marcia Rybak, the local squirrel population is no longer leaning on their own instincts to forage for food. Rybak told KCBS that, “The problem is, it’s always the food supply.  Everything is shelter and food with wildlife, or all animals, really.”

Coast and Canyon Wildlife Rehabilitation is a volunteer run organization that rescues orphaned wildlife in the area, primarily baby squirrels. According to the Coast and Canyon website, their team of volunteers “cared for over 1,100 orphaned, injured, or displaced wild animals in Los Angeles County. We pride ourselves in never turning away an animal in need and never letting the cost of animal care determine its future.”

City officials started posting signs advising the public not to feed the rodents.  Rybak noted if people stop feeding the squirrels, they will move on.

Santa Monica does not use poisons to thin the population due to the threat of harming other wildlife.  Wildlife experts encourage the city to stop the public feeding of the squirrels, and “Let nature take over,” to protect the local ecosystem and the structural integrity of the Palisades Bluffs, which reports indicate that the squirrels burrowing habits have begun to take over.

By Sharon

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