For over a yr, a pair of buildings with breathtaking ocean views that used to accommodate seniors have sat vacant in Santa Monica subsequent to multimillion greenback townhomes and condominiums.
However within the final a number of months, neighbors have observed employees transferring on and off the respective properties within the 400 and 800 blocks of Ocean Avenue.
They painted the buildings, put in safety cameras and a PRIVATE PROPERTY signal to discourage trespassers.
Then, late on a Tuesday night time earlier this month, the county of Los Angeles knowledgeable town of Santa Monica new tenants could be transferring in quickly and who they had been: 49 sufferers with behavioral well being points enrolled within the county’s transitional housing program.
The backlash got here quick, together with from the mayor.
“I reside subsequent to three inside strolling distance — we by no means bought a heads up or a group assembly both,” Santa Monica Mayor Lara Negrete wrote on Fb. “The system will not be working pretty and informing folks and it’s above our heads typically coming from state and county — but now we have to handle the chaos.”
Now, the challenge is on maintain because the county plans to host a city corridor and supply public excursions of the amenities.
“We wish to be sure that everyone seems to be heard, correctly knowledgeable, and has a number of alternatives to supply suggestions and assist form how the challenge is carried out,” the Division of Psychological Well being mentioned in a press release.
That’s how the method ought to have rolled out within the first place, in line with locals like Negrete.
“What occurred right here revealed some actual gaps in how the regulation divides tasks between the state, county and metropolis relating to not solely funding psychological well being amenities, however simply the notification and group engagement,” Negrete instructed The Occasions. “I believe everyone deserves to know what is occurring of their group and to have the ability to voice their concern, and shouldn’t be chastised or villainized for having a response or a worry.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath mentioned in a press release on Oct. 14 she is “dissatisfied by the dearth of correct communication with Santa Monica residents” and mentioned there “has been inexcusably little engagement round this proposal.”
L.A. County operates the most important county-run psychological well being division within the nation with a finances of practically $3 billion. Final yr, L.A. was one among 10 counties to obtain practically $133 million to quickly home homeless folks and people experiencing psychological sickness.
That funding consists of the Ocean Avenue bridge housing.
Based on the county, the amenities will likely be a managed by the Venice-based nonprofit St. Joseph Heart and operated by the Division of Psychological Well being by the State Behavioral Well being Bridge Housing fund. The nonprofit didn’t reply to requests for remark.
The top aim for residents admitted into the amenities will likely be to transition them into safe housing whereas offering psychological well being therapy and different assets. Santa Monica residents receiving precedence placement. Residents will likely be vetted by the county and must observe a curfew and different guidelines. Staffing will embody psychological well being clinicians, licensed vocational nurses and substance use counselors, amongst different medical professionals. St. Joseph Heart will present 24/7 safety and handle the world exterior the power, in line with the county.
It’s unclear if the county weighed how the positioning would affect tourism, requires police and different emergency providers, which all hyperlink again to town. Negrete thinks the state and county ought to assess the information on what will be executed to open state-funded hospitals for individuals who want psychological well being providers.
“We have to ask ourselves, like, how does this affect the whole neighborhood?” Negrete mentioned.
Final month, town of Santa Monica declared a state of fiscal misery on account of a decline in tourism income that has not rebounded because the pandemic and paid out greater than $229 million in authorized settlements referring to sexual-abuse claims made towards a former police dispatcher. The town not too long ago permitted out of doors consuming on the Third Avenue Promenade to try to enhance enterprise.
On a current sunny morning, Alex Ardeshir handed by one of many vacant buildings along with his canines after the county introduced the challenge was placed on pause. He doesn’t suppose the amenities will slot in with the neighborhood, however agrees there must be extra look after folks dwelling on the streets.
“It’s a noble trigger, however this can be a residential space that draws vacationers,” he mentioned. “You’re going to have a conflict of people who find themselves not from the world seeing this facility and questioning if this represents town. Tourism would take a success. I’d wish to suppose I’m a compassionate particular person, however the county has not thought this by.”
Michelle Lee lives close to one of many proposed amenities and mentioned there was zero outreach from the county or St. Joseph Heart. She desires to see extra alternatives for folks to get assist and thinks the bridge housing mannequin is a crucial instrument.
“All of us have to do our half in serving to the homeless,” Lee mentioned. “It’s such a sophisticated challenge. I don’t have an issue with the bridge housing primarily based on what little data I’ve obtained. However this was all mishandled. We needed to play a guessing sport about all of this and nonetheless nothing.”
Bradley Adams generally sleeps on the seaside in Santa Monica. He heard in regards to the bridge housing however didn’t comprehend it was going to be on Ocean Avenue.
“If it’s empty and there’s cash then somebody ought to get to sleep there,” he mentioned. “There are such a lot of who want the assistance.”
Based on county knowledge taken on a single night time in February, 202 folks had been staying in non permanent shelters and 475 had been dwelling on the streets, with a further 135 folks dwelling in a car, tent or makeshift shelter in Santa Monica.
Although the Ocean Avenue facility openings are paused for now, they’re meant to handle the wants of Santa Monica residents, who’ve requested for extra beds and assets to handle the rising homeless disaster, together with serving to folks with acute psychological well being wants, in line with Horvath’s workplace.
“It’s not our challenge,” Negrete mentioned. “But, by some means we’re left holding the bag when neighbors or constituents or stakeholders are upset a couple of challenge.”
